Chill Factor Slushy Cup Review

I thought twice about reviewing the chill factor slushy cup. At £12.99 I thought it would be a totally waste of money that didn't work, and that I would need to find a polite way of saying that in my review. Then I thought about how much I had wanted a Mr Frosty when I was young, and therefore big man would love it no matter how much I hated it. (OK there may have also been a suggestion that it could be used for cocktails too!)

So have I changed my mind about the Chill Factor cup? Well it is on the pricey side as each person needs their own cup, but that aside, it is great! You pop it in the freezer for around 4 hours, fill with a cold drink and squeeze til you have a slush. You can put fruit juice, milkshakes, coffee or cocktails in it.

Baby man had a try of an orange juice one whilst his brothers were at school. After the initial shock that it was cold, he loved it. I made a baileys and chocolate milkshake one for the hubbie to try, he conceded that it was "pretty cool."

So, if you are like me and love a slush on a hot day, always wanted a Mr Frosty, but don't want the mess that is made by such a product, then the Chill Factor is a fun gadget that makes you feel like a kid again. The boys will be able to make a nice cold slush at home without loads of sugar or colouring.

I was given a chill factor slushy cup for the purpose of this review, but the opinions contained here are my own.

Do you believe in fairies?

I do!

 

If you live near Eversley, this is a lovely afternoon out. Big man even claimed he saw one, rather tiny fairy. 

A face for Patterly

Long time readers of my blog will know that middle man has an alter ego called Patterly the dog. (I had thought he was called Pattersley but now middle man's prouncitation is better, it is definately Patterly.) I thought it was just a phase but it seems to be a very long one. On asking him to get ready for preschool the other morning we were greeted with the response "Woof, dogs don't go to preschool, woof" He often attempts to get out of trouble by playing the "I'm a dog card."

On Monday we went out for the day and found out for the first time what Patterly looked like in middle man's head. He saw this dog, turned to his Daddy and exclaimed "Woof, he's so cute! He looks just like me woof!"

So my gorgeous middle man is a cute beagle.I will try and remember this the next time he is up to mischief and claiming he can't be told off because of this.

Vistaprint Photo Book Review

Before I had 3 gorgeous boys, I was a crafty person. I still am at heart, but don't have the time at the moment. I have always loved scrapbooking, so when I was asked to review a photo book by Vistaprint, I saw it as the chance to make an online one. As Father's Day is on it's way too, I thought I'd make one from the boys to their Daddy. I have never made a photo book before, but have received one as a gift.

I chose a large book and used the online editor. It was simple to use and there was

a choice of background papers. Big man chose a heart in the snow to be the background to his message to Daddy. 

I decided to add a few of my favourite blog posts of the boys accompanied by some pictures.

For my holiday blog post I was able to use a sand background.

As I was reviewing the product, I chose all the added extras, that I wouldn't normally go for. This was to see if I thought they are actually worth purchasing or not.

First was a leather cover at £4.99. Yes it's nice, but on a photo book for Daddy I would go for a free picture cover in the future. However, if it was a book for another reason I may opt for this.

Laser etching cost an additional £3.49. I really don't see the point of this one. You can hardly see it. The picture on their website shows it as gold but apparently that's just because it's on brown leather. I wouldn't have that one again.

Lastly is glossy paper at an additional £6.99. I don't know what their usual paper is like so it is hard to compare. However, the pages are thick, glossy and high quality. I would definitely go for this one!

The cost of the book would have been £42.88 

If I had gone for a free cover without etching that would bring it down to a more reasonable £34.40 including 2 additional pages, glossy paper and delivery. I think that it a fantastic price for what you are receiving.

You could go cheaper still without the glossy paper but as I've said, I think it's worth the extra money. 

They are currently on offer too, making it even cheaper! So if you fancy making your own book, head over to the Vistaprint website.

I was given the photo book for the purpose of this review but the opinions contained here are my own.

Blogging4Madeleine

Last year I wrote a #blogging4madeleine post. For me the last year has flown by and has been full of many fabulous memories of my boys growing up. The McCann's have been robbed of these with their daughter Madeleine  Today is her 10th Birthday. Six years away from her family. Her family not even knowing if she is alive. 5 Birthday parties missed.

More information about the plight of the McCann's can be found by visiting the Find Madeleine official website www.findmadeleine.com

Contact information to report any sightings or information:

Your local police force immediately, AND
Operation Grange 0207 321 9251 (in the UK) +44 207 321 9251 (non-UK)

Or Operation.Grange@met.pnn.police.uk

Or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Madeline is still missing and someone somewhere must know something. Please share this message, so that as many people around the world as possible are aware of the abduction of this little girl.

 @Amummysview and BritMums have a #blogging4madeleine linky to raise awareness of Madeleine and other missing children.

Family Happiness

My gorgeous family 

Growing so fast 

May we make many memories 
That forever will last

This is my entry to Limetree's family happiness micropost competition

If you haven't voted in the Brilliance in Blogging awards yet, you are running out of time. Voting closes on 12th May so if you would like to vote for A Strong Coffee in the family category please click here now. Thanks!

A day in the country park

One thing I have learnt about having boys, is that everyone is happier if they have been running around outside. I therefore invested in annual passes to our local country park this year and I think we have had our moneys worth already. Here are some of the photos from last week.

A perfect spot for a picnic

My boys getting along.

Appreciating the wildlife

A Happy Mummy with her boys.

If you haven't voted in the Brilliance in Blogging awards yet, you are running out of time. Voting closes on 12th May so if you would like to vote for A Strong Coffee in the family category please click here now. Thanks!