Bring on October!

Today is the last day of September and boy has it been a loooong month!

But that means tomorrow is the first day of  October which  means it is my Grandma's birthday but more importantly it means 18 days until we move and 30 days until Halloween. Yessssss!

Anyway, it's not just any old Friday.

Oh noooooo! Tonight mami is going the MAD Blog Awards for us!

We are finalists in not one, but TWO categories (Family Fun and Pre-School Fun) and it is even more special because at first we didn't think we would still be in London to attend. We are very excited and looking forward to the ceremony which papi and I will follow online.

So to get this day started, I am joining mami at her bootcamp, then getting our Friday coffee (for mami) and croissant then going to the playground then back home for some lunch.

And while I'm here, I'd like to take this moment to remind mami that today is also really the absolute last day of fun because after this we will be getting ready for the move and there will be no time to socialise. Papi says he needs you to get serious now.

So to say goodbye to September here is a red rose from our garden to brighten up your day.

Bring on October!

Love London: Hampstead Heath

As you may have heard,  we are packing up, getting on a big plane and moving across the ocean. 

In the lead up to our move to Washington DC, we have been visiting some of our favourite places around London and this week we went to Hampstead Heath.

It is a HUGE park (790 acres) with lots and lots of trails, trees and as mami says it is "just beautiful". It has a pond that you can swim in during the summer and lots of movies are filmed here too.

Do not remove (c) Mummy's Busy World

We went to Hampstead by train and had lunch at a nearby pub and I could see mami looking around at everything and trying to remember every detail. I think she really is looking at everything like it's the last time. 

As soon as we reached the entrance to the park I took off running into the leaves. 

Papi said "don't go too far" but I didn't listen. I looked back at papi, laughed and kept running. 

But then I tripped over a rock and as I hit the ground I felt something squishy between my hands. I got up and looked to see something green and smelly on my hands. I ran to papi and he looked at mami and said "he fell into dog caca". 

I don't think I need to explain mami's reaction. Let's just say, it wasn't pretty. But she cleaned me up and off we went! 

Anyway, after all that, we had a very peaceful and fun walk. Some of the leaves where on the ground, there were lots of bugs and insects everywhere! 

If you have never been there you should go. Add it to your London "to do" list. And in just a few weeks it will be even more pretty because all of the leaves will be on the ground.

We will miss all of the parks here in London - so enjoy them for us!

Hampstead Heath is located on the Northern Line or via the overground. 

What is your favourite London park?

Let the feeding frenzy begin!

¡Todos a comer!


Miércoles Mudo/Wordless Wednesday

Do not remove (c) Mummy's Busy World

Goodbye London. We love you forever

We are going from one capital city to another...Washington DC here we come!

After six years in the UK for mami and papi, they have decided to move to Washington, DC in the United States. I say 'they' because I didn't have any say in this. After all, I am a London boy! I don't know any other place and frankly, I love it here.

But...my abuelita and tata live there, my uncles, aunties and my grandma and grandpa. Oh and Duke (he's my tio's dog - I always get to see him on Skype).

Mami wants to be closer to her mami and says she is tired of being so lonely.

However, this move isn't without it's dramatic moments. Ohhhhh no.

There was a period of a few weeks when mami panicked and said  "What are we doing?! We have nothing there! Our home is here, our friends our here. We can't go!"

Do not remove (c) Mummy's Busy World

And so the flat hunting began and they dragged me all over West London looking for a new flat. Papi would say, "If we find the perfect one, that would help us decide to stay. Why did we want to leave again?!"

But nothing was good enough for them. Finally after seeing a dozen or so flats, mami just looked over at papi with a straight face and said "It's done. Let's just go as we planned". And that was that. The moving preparations continued as before.

Then mami turned on the water works. And she says I'm a cry baby?! Please!

She cried for most of that afternoon. Walked around sniffling and wiping her eyes. She scared me at first and I went to give her a hug and I held her tight.
She looked at me and said  "We are moving to Washington DC Little M. ¿Vamos?"
I said, "No mami" and she and papi laughed. But I was busy building a castle with my blocks, so it wasn't a good time to ask me anyway.

But now she is looking more happy! And also going crazy cleaning out the closets, throwing things away, going through my baby clothes and trying to decide "what goes and what stays". I'm just hoping I see all of my toys again.

There is a lot more to say about London, after all, mami and papi did lots of things before I came along, but maybe mami can give you the grown up version someday.

For now, I leave you with a little letter I have written to the city I call home.

Dear London, 

This has not been easy to write. Not sure where to begin. You are my home. I have not lived anywhere but here and I have a feeling there is no other place like you.

You were tough on mami at first. She had a hard time, but guess what? Now she doesn't want to go!

She says she will always be a Londoner (me and papi too). According to papi these were the best six years of his life.

Oh and mami says no matter what, she will always be a "mummy" and not a "mommy"and she may even continue to say "rubbish" and "trainers".

There are lots of things we will miss, even if you do get very crowded at times and the tube isn't running. But you are truly magical and we will come back to visit soon.

Now we are going somewhere new and starting all over again but we are going to take pieces of you with us. Mami says she is an "Honorary Brit". I say let her have the title, okay?

I know there will be more tears, but I hope she is brave. I will make sure to take lots of tissues for the airplane.

And as for me, I love London the most because this is where mami became my mami.

London we love you. Forever.

Little M, mami and papi

Toilet talk

I'm all potty trained now.

Yep, no more nappies for me. I'm all about the big boy undies. And I've done well. No accidents, I tell mami and papi when I need to go and that's that.

But I don't like to use the potty alone. I always get mami or papi to come with me. I just like to talk. Sometimes I even read a book, helps pass the time, especially when I have to do caca.

Other times, when mami or papi are in the toilet with the door locked I knock and yell "pee pee! pee pee!" to get them to open up so I can go in. Even if I don't have to. That ALWAYS works, yesssss!

Or better yet, if they aren't opening up, I yell out "CACA!" and then the door opens really fast!

Sometimes mami and I use the potty at the same time. She has given up trying to lock me out. So we talk about what we are going to do that afternoon, "do you want to go to the playground?" she asks.

"Yes mami" I say, then she responds, "Ok, pero tienes que hacer pipí primero".

Other times we just stare at each other. "What are you doing mami?" I ask to break the silence.

Mami says "Doing pee pee. And you?"

"Pee pee coming mami" I say.

Then I hear the pee pee sound from mami. And that makes me want to go too.

And when she is all finished I like congratulate her on a job well done. "Good job mami" I say.

Then when I am done, mami returns the favour and says "Muy bien Little M" and she lets me pour my pee pee into the big toilet and flush for both of us.

It's all about team work in this house and the toilet is no exception. I have to say, I am a very good flusher.

I enjoy my toilet talks with mami. And I think she does too? But I'm not sure, she's a bit funny on this one, I can't quite read her.

Anyway, so what sort of things do you talk about in the toilet?

It's all about PHONETOGRAPHY!

We don't have a real picture camera.

Mami takes all of our pictures with her phone. Yep! Every single one. Not a camera in sight at our house.

We have learned how to use the phone to take good pictures and work with what we have. Sometimes we have taken pictures so good that people can't believe it's not with a professional camera.

We know there are others out there in the same situation and we wanted to start a weekly Phonetography series where we share our best picture taken  with our phone and tips on how to maximise your camera phone.

Here is our first phonetograph to share with you:

Do Not Remove (c) Mummy's Busy World 

Phonetography tip for this week:

If you are taking a picture with an iPhone and it looks dark, tap the darkest part of the screen (before taking the picture) and it will lighten the image. Then take the picture!

Want to join in?

If you are interested in sharing your pictures and tips, please leave a comment below and mami will be in touch about doing a guest post or even a linky.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Bloggers go MAD at TK Maxx

It was just papi and me today. All day. 

Mami left for a special shopping trip with other MAD Blog Award finalists at the TK Maxx  flagship store (yes, that's TJ Maxx for our friends in the US) in Kensington. 

TK Maxx had invited mami and some of our other blogging friends to come pick out a special dress for the ceremony which will take place next Friday the 30th of September. 

(L-R) Ruth - Geek Mummy

Kylie- Not Even a Bag of Sugar

Mami - that's us!

Monika- Mum on the Brink

Lisa - Mummy Whisper

Sally - Who's the Mummy

Claire - A Boy with Aspergers

Apparently they had a great time and helped each other find the most 'perfect' dress. This must be a 'girl' thing because I've been in there and I didn't find it fun at all. 

So what did she get? Ahhhh, sorry I can't tell you because it's a SURPRISE (and I haven't seen it either).

But she came home very happy and looking forward to seeing everyone again next week!

A special thanks to Sally and Polly who organised it all.

El pan de cada día

Daily Bread

Miércoles Mudo/Wordless Wednesday

Do not remove - Image (c) Mummy's Busy World

In the Night Garden Live

In this house we love going to see shows!

Last week we where lucky enough to have been invited to see one of my all time favourite programmes, In the Night Garden Live which was set up for it's final run at Brent Cross Shopping Centre in London.

For those of you who don't know it, In the Night Garden is an award winning C-Beebies kids TV show.

Silly papi had never heard of Igglepiggle, UpsyDaisy or the Tombliboos, but he soon got into it. The live show is running until the 24th of September and it all takes place inside one big giant TENT!




It most certainly passed Little M's Kid Friendly Test. They had a very organised buggy park, the toilets had special smaller seats for us and a step stool to reach the sink.

The show itself was soooo cool! There were lights on the ceiling, the seats were wide enough and it went on for just the right amount of time - ONE hour. Because let's face it, anything beyond that it too much for me or any other kid.

Oh and I can't forget Makka Pakka and the Ninky Nonk - they were there too! They just made the show that much more exciting - much much better than watching on TV.

If you are in London we recommend you try and catch the show. Times and prices vary depending on the day of the week

You can even buy tickets to MEET them after the show. They call you in by your family name and you get to hang out with them. Even though we didn't do that, other kids got to go in. I tried to sneak into the meet and greet tent but papi quickly pulled me away. Maybe next time!

The show gets two hands up from me and mami and papi!

So have you seen it? Did you have fun?

Tell us what you think!

**There are two different shows: The Pinky Ponk Show or the Ninky Nonk Show (Wed-Sat) at 9.30am, 11.15am, 1pm, 3.15pm & 5pm; ticket prices from £12.50-£22.50. Meet the Characters £15 per family**

Oh! It's PLAY-DOH

I looooooooove Play-Doh! In fact I love it so much I leave little pieces everywhere.

My favourite is taking all of the colours and mushing them together. Mami used to try to stop me, but she's given up.

So you can imagine my happiness when Play-Doh sent me their Three Little Pigs Fairytale creativity kit.

But if piggies aren't your thing, you can also get Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel too. Each kit comes with Play-Doh (of course!) a small play mat in that looks like a storybook, and shapes or "moulds" of the characters. In my case, we had the shapes of the three little pigs.

That way I can read the story and act it out as we go along. I have to admit, I lost most of the Play-Doh within the first few days, but now I just use any colour and it's just as fun!

And not only that but Play-Doh is workng with the National School Partnership to help create Handy Learning teacher resource packs for schools and nurseries in the UK. Cool, right?

And because we want YOU to get your hands all over some Play-Doh, they have given me one of their latest kits to giveaway.

Ready for this? Its the Twirl n' Top Pizza Shop! (£14.99)

All you have to do is:

1. Leave a comment telling us the wackiest, craziest most creative thing you have made with Play-Doh
2. Leave your contact details (email and/or twitter)

That's it!

Good luck!

One entry per person
UK only
Winner selected at Random
Prize will be sent directly from Hasbro
Closes Wednesday 21 September 2011


KEWC3AN4S2SB

Help Dora Help - The Shortlist

Did your nursery make the cut? If so, Dora the Explorer HERSELF will be making her way to see you soon!

I told you about the Help Dora Help campaign with Nick Jr. They invited nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools from all over the UK to apply for a grant up to £20k to improve facilities. That means more toys, better playground and even more activities!

Hundreds applied and now Nick Jr have their short-list! Starting from the 1st of October YOU can vote for the winner at www.nickjr.co.uk

Alfriston Pre-School, East Sussex

Beaufort Hill Nursery, Gwent

Bradford Academy, Yorkshire

Overtown Community Nursery, Wisham, Scotland

Hope Nursery School, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Please support your local nurseries and pre-schools and tell your friends too.

Best of luck to everyone and please tell Dora Little M says HOLA! 

We are working with Nick Jr on a series of reviews/campaigns and we will be compensated by visiting Nick Jr World. 

A happy memory

Mami and papi's safari days

When mami sees this picture, she just lights up and says to papi "that was an amazing time, wasn't it?"

He looks over at her, smiles and then says "where has the time gone?"

See mami took this picture in 2006 when they were living in South Africa and seeing all sorts of wild animals.

They saw lions, elephants, rhinos and zebras of course!

So I have it on good authority that it was this is a happy memory for mami and papi because when they talk about that time they get all cuddly, mami starts to giggle and they even kiss...on the mouth! Ewww!

I even heard her whisper "can you believe we had only been married just over a year?" and then they hold hands.

I don't know about you, but that sounds like a super duper happy memory to me!

This is an entry for The Gallery. Visit to see more happy memories!

Miércoles Mudo/Wordless Wednesday

Living up to the British stereotype

Ver más fotos en Naturalmente Mamá

See more pictures at A Mother's Ramblings

Sainsbury's Super Saturday and London Paralympic Games

Sainsbury's (that's the supermarket where we buy our food!) decided to throw a BIG party on Clapham Common in London this past weekend called Super Saturday and we were invited.

What was the party for? It was family friendly event to celebrate one year to go until the Paralympic Games come to London in 2012 and to get everyone excited about it. And let me just say, it really was SUPER and one of a kind!

Now I admit, I gave mami and papi a hard time. I don't know, I just wasn't feeling like my usual self.

I didn't want to walk, I didn't want to sit in the buggy, I didn't want to eat, I didn't want to play football or do crafts. I just wanted to be left alone and run away. And so I did. I ran clear across the Common and papi had to take off after me.

From there on I could see mami getting a bit worried but she really really did not want to leave. Sainsbury's had given us VIP tickets and there was free food and drinks all day.

And not just that, but mami wanted to stay to see The Saturdays, The Wanted, Olly Murs, Sugababes, Chipmunk and Taio Cruz sing on the big stage. Usually I am all about dancing and partying, but not that day.

So papi and I left. He told mami, "you stay, have a good time with your friends and enjoy the music". And guess what?! SHE STAYED!

The day was full of inspirational stories from athletes and they even played a game of basketball in wheelchairs. I had never seen that before, but I hear the UK has a great team!

Mami got to hang out with Sandy from Baby Baby, Uju from Babes About Town and saw Liz from Me and My Shadow, Sabine from Mummy Matters and another Maria from Mixed Up Mummy.

But at the end of the day everyone was there to celebrate the Paraylmpic Games. You can see all the events here and read about all of the athletes. We didn't know much about it, but we sure do now!

And yes, mami got home late but SUPER happy. She said she danced so much her feet hurt. Ouch!

Oh and because I didn't want to craft, mami made me a special medal - just like the kind the athletes get!

Gurgle Awards: Runner Up Best Funny Mummy Blog

Last week were the Gurgle Awards hosted by parenting site Gurgle.com.

Mami went to the ceremony for us at the Soho Hotel here in London. Papi was supposed to go with her but in the end mami's friend Auntie Liz went instead.

Our blog had made the finals in the Best Funny Mummy Blog category and we were very excited!

Myleene Klass hosted the Awards

Mami got to meet new bloggers like Monika from Mum on the Brink and old friends like Sandy from Baby Baby.

Sadly we didn't win, but we were named Runner Up and for that we are super happy! A big felicidades to all the winners.

We want to thank everyone who voted for us and to everyone who visits our blog and supports us;  it doesn't go unnoticed.

MUCHAS GRACIAS

I Love London lunchbox from DotComGiftShop

Who doesn't love a lunchbox? And who doesn't love London?

I don't go to school yet like the big kids, but that doesn't mean I have to miss out on all the fun. Even mami packs her lunch or some snacks when we go out.

But if you are looking for a lunchbox for back to school or just to have around, check out this one that DotComGiftShop sent me - despite mami claiming it for herself!

And since we love London so much, mami is even buying a few more as gifts for when we go to the US. I am pretty sure they will be a hit!

Each one is priced at £4.95 and you can get this one, or the Circus Parade, Spaceboy or the Dolly Girl.

DotComGiftShop have really lovely and "nicely" priced items as mami says. Have a look around, guaranteed you will find something you love.

We always do!

Winnie the Pooh with HUGGIES

Thanks to HUGGIES (you know, they make nappies) mami won tickets to see the Winnie the Pooh film at  Mickey Mouse's house on Monday (also known as Disney HQ).

I had actually seen it before, but does it really matter? NOOOO! Because I just love Pooh, and Piglet and Rabbit and Owl and Tigger and Kanga and Roo and Eeyore too!

Even my abuelita was jealous when I told her I got to see it again, she said "Ay, me encanta Pooh, es tan lindo!"/I love Pooh, he's so cute!

And I told her that Pooh "fell down a hole" and that Eeyore lost his tail and that everyone was helping him get it back. I think I convinced her to go see it too. 

Anyway, let's put it this way, the movie was so good that I didn't move from mami's lap the entire time! And I usually don't sit still for more than one episode of Dora. 

On our way out I got a little gift bag that had Piglet inside (not the real one though, just a little one).

Sooo cool! 

But the best part is that we have one additional Disney and HUGGIES goody bag for you to win that includes:

Two HUGGIES Natural Fit sample packs

One pack of Andrex moist wipes

One multi-pack of Cars 2 Kleenex pocket tissues

Winnie the Pooh party banner

Winnie the Pooh plush toy – Pooh Bear

Winnie the Pooh confetti

Disney pin badge

All you have to do is:

1. Leave a comment below telling me your favourite character and why
2. Include your contact details (email/twitter)
3. For an extra entry you can share this post via the TWEET button at the top
4. Good luck!

One entry person 

UK only

Closes Thursday 22nd September 

Prize will be sent by Huggies

Winner will be drawn at random

Can you have too much fun?

After mami and papi's party last night the answer to that is a big fat YES!

They had lots of friends over and even though I was supposed to be in bed, mami let me stay up and join in the fun. I mean, how could I have possibly not been part of this?

There was music, yummy food, lots of drinks in a variety of colours and my friend Cristina was there too. We usually don't have so many guests over and mami had said "It was about time we party a bit".

At one point mami tried to put us to sleep but all we did was jump on the bed and then come back to the party, I even did some salsa moves. That impressed everyone!

Anyway, I guess having too much fun means not waking up in the morning because when I went to see mami and papi today their eyes were really really closed. I mean, I couldn't get them to open. But I was tired too -  after all I did stay up very late.

So I decided not to wake mami and papi up and after going to the potty (which papi got up to help me) I curled up with them and we all slept in for a looooong time.

Thanks to everyone who came - we had a great time!

When is the next party??

I'm a runner too!

You know that mami and papi like to run. 

Mami did the London Marathon in April and papi is training for the Marine Corps Marathon in October. 

Let's just say there are A LOT of sweaty clothes and smelly socks in our flat! Phewwwww!

But now I get to run too! Once a week we all get up early, I put on my super fast running trainers and mami, papi and I are out the door. 

For the first part of the run I am in my  running buggy. I am in charge of holding mami's water bottle and encourage her by saying "muy bien mami" as she runs next to me. She needs our support because she likes to complain that she is "tired" but we don't listen to her and papi never lets her walk. 

And of course, papi runs too, but he's pushing the buggy. 

We cross through my favourite park, then along the main road that takes us to the river, we go on a very windy road, up a few hills then we loop back through the park and then it's MY turn!

Yep! I get to run with mami and papi all the way home. I have been waiting for this day for so long!

We start near the gate and papi says "Ready, set go!" and we are off. Mami says not to start too fast because then you get tired too soon, but I don't listen.

Last week I fell on my face running down the hill and it hurt! So today I held papi's hand and we walked down. But as soon as we made it down, we started running again.

Running is lots of fun and I think I am pretty fast. This way we get to spend time together and get some exercise.

What sorts of fun things do you do to keep healthy?

P.S. Do you think I could run the marathon with papi?