My first American Halloween!

There is way too much to tell, but let's just say mami wasn't kidding when she said Halloween would involve "lots of candy and lots of fun".

Trick or treating was amazing!

All that candy just for me!

You walk out when it's dark in your costume, knock on doors and when they open you say "trick or treat" and they drop candy into your bucket!

Then you say "Thank you! Happy Halloween" and go on to another house. And each one has spooky decorations on the outside and some people even sat outside around a fire waiting to give out candy.

My pumpkin bucket got heavy very quickly so papi helped me carry it.

Me and my uncle - he's the Indian Chief

And everyone liked my Scooby Doo costume so I think I got extra sweets for that.

I can't wait to eat them all!

My first American Halloween was a hit! Can't believe I missed out on all this the past 2 years. I have to make up for lost time.

What should I be next year?

Are you ready for Halloween?

I am!

Been wearing my costume for a few days now.

You know, just to get a good feel for it.

Only one more day to go!

I can't wait to go trick or treating because I hear you get TONS of candy.

Can you guess who I am?

Cox Farms Fall Festival

I'm sure everyone who lives in Washington DC and Northern Virginia knows about Cox Farms in Centreville, but not being from around here we had no idea. They are the largest family farm in the area!

Mami had never been to anything like this or even to a pumpkin patch, so she was just as excited as me when my tío told us about it (that means uncle in case you didn't know).

The Fall (or Autumn to others) Festival runs until Halloween on the 31st but afterwards they have other activities like Pumpkin Madness which is on the 5-6th of November. 

The festival costs $15 per person on the weekends and $8 on the weekends. Mami flinched when paying, but later we realised it was worth every penny because everything is free (well, you pay for your own food but you can bring a picnic if you want) but everything else like the HAY RIDE is included.

And let me tell you, they have EVERYTHING! I even helped eat a big bag of kettle corn...mmmmm!

There are lots of animals, like piggies, chickens, goats, sheep, horses, live shows and entertainment, long slides, playgrounds, and stacks of hay to climb on. There is so much to do that we didn't get to do it all. Imagine that. ME not getting around to everything.

But the fun doesn't end when you have to go. As you leave you get to choose a baby pumpkin. I am very lucky because I ended up getting more than one because my tío, mami, papi and my Omama gave me theirs.

So if you are in the area, you should go check it out! This is the last weekend for it...and let me know what you think. What about in the UK? Are there any "must visit" pumpkin patches?

As for me, I'm waiting for papi to come back from buying a big pumpkin so we can carve it. Don't forget, it's Halloween next week, and that means CANDY!!

Do you know what you are going to be? I'm SCOOBY DOO!

Facebook: Cox Farms
Twitter: @CoxFarmsTweets

Pobres paltas

Miércoles Mudo

London Heathrow Airport's Nipperbout Mobile Creche

I'm here now in the USA, but to get here we had to go to London Heathrow Airport and get on a plane.

A few weeks before mami had seen some discussion around Heathrow Airport not allowing families to take their pushchairs to the gate. This didn't go over so well, and not just for us, but for other families too. 

This bit of news, mixed with the nerves mami gets when travelling with me because she says I get "frustrated and on edge even before getting on the plane" made her scared for the 8 hour flight to Washington DC. 

And she had every right to be. I get so bored waiting around. Being told to "sit still" "no running" "don't touch" that when I do get on the plane I just want to kick the seat in front of me, scream and run around. 

But can you blame me? 

So when we passed through security at London Heathrow Airport last week and entered the departure lounge and saw a sign that said Children's Play Area mami didn't miss a beat. We made our way over and mami said to papi "I am checking him in, you go get us coffees". 

And that's what we did. She signed me in to the playarea run by Nipperbout Mobile Creche and Event Child Care in Terminal 1 and off I went!

Now I could end here and say it was great fun (which it was) but mami and I feel that more airports and Heathrow should consider this a permanent fixture. Mami was told this area was there for a few weeks, then taken down. Then back again in a few weeks time.

This is how it works:

1. Nipperbout has trained professionals on hand to check children in, ensure they are safe in the enclosed area and keep it clean and tidy

2. Parents can come in or sit outside in the normal departure area seating. The walls to the play area are low enough (see images) for us kids to see our parents and for them to see us!

3. You can stay for 10 minutes or 2 hours like me! 

4. It's FREE!

Our reasons why children's play areas should become a part of airports today:

1. Even before getting on a flight, the waiting time is long and very tiring. Having a play area allows us kids to relax and enjoy some time to run around

2. Parents are more at ease and less stressed. I could see such a big difference in mami's attitude this time around. Usually she is a "ball of nerves"

3. By the time we get on the flight, we have had a good hour or so of play and we are ready for lunch and a nap

4. Not only are we happy, but fellow travellers won't be scared of being near us kids on a long flight

We know that Fisher Price had a temporary play area at Gatwick Airport but I didn't get a chance to go to that one. 

Have you been to the play area at Heathrow or other airports? What did you think?

Share your reasons and ideas on why having play areas would make for better travelling experiences.

We really want to help families travel happy!

Welcome to the USA!

This isn't the number 27 bus towards Hammersmith...oh no! It's a BIG TRUCK!

Everything here is very BIG. The cars, the roads, the houses, even the milk containers (no complaints from me).

Mami and papi are enjoying going out without me while I stay with my Omama (grandma).

 I think they like that a little too much. I mean they go out ALL THE TIME now.

They act as if they have never been able to.

Geez!

I am still exploring so I'll let you know more soon!

Have you been over this way?

What did you most like about the USA?

Toddler travel essentials: Portable DVD & edible crayons

I'm done crying over my things. Mami and papi assured me they will arrive at our new home soon. 

Now I am ready for the air plane ride. We get to go up into the sky! Yesssssss.

To prepare for the looooooong trip (it's 8 hours of flying time you know) mami and papi have some "travel essentials" for me. 

Here is our list so far:

1. My very own TV! Siiiiiiiiii! You read right, mami and papi got me one today so that I can watch my movies. I even get these cool earphones and everything. Mami calls it a portable DVD player, but it's really my own TV. 

2. Lots and lots of sticker books. They fit perfectly into my backpack and let's face it, who doesn't love stickers?

3. Five of my favourite books - I can't bring my entire collection so mami let me choose a few.

4. My very own colouring pad and...chocolate flavoured crayons (and real crayons too) I know, so cool right? Mami found them when clearing out stuff and says I can draw and have a snack at the same time! 

5. Oh and my movies! Of course. What's the point of having my own TV if I don't have movies. For in-flight entertainment I have: In the Night Garden (my all time favourite), Chuggington, Dora the Explorer (my friend!), Sesame Street, Charley Bear, Pocoyo and a few others.

I should be okay with all this...what do you think?

By the way, Papi bought the the movie player and headphones (Bush 10 inch screen £90) at Argos just in case you are looking for one too. It comes with a car adapter and carrier and he says it is "worth every penny". 

I tried out my TV last night (that's me in the pictures watching Pocoyo. And the headphones are sooooo cool!) and I am happy to report everything is working just fine. 

Now off to the airport we go!

Is there something else I should be taking with me? What fun things do you take in your travel bag?

They took EVERYTHING!

You already know that we are moving to Washington DC.

But after all the talk I started noticing that things began to change. I mean, all sorts of strange things were happening.

Everyday something else was taken away from me.

Let me explain:

1. I caught mami putting some of my toys into bin bags and saying they were "rubbish" or that they would be "given away". I REALLY didn't like that very much. As a matter of fact, I panicked. I mean, that's my stuff!

2. Last week, our upstairs neighbours came over and things from our rooms including our fan. I cried and tried to grab hold of it... "MY FAAAAAAAAN!" I yelled out. I didn't want them to take it. I was mine and papi's. I had helped him put it together. Mami explained we would get another one called "air conditioning".

3. The next day after my fan was taken from me, I was right in the middle of my favourite Peppa Pig episode when there was a knock at the door. Four men came in with big boxes and started putting ALL OF OUR STUFF IN THEM!

My table isn't there anymore

4. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING, including MY BED! I really got scared and called mami, and said, "Mami, bed gone. No sleeping" and I just cried again. As mami was holding me,  I looked around my room, and it was completely empty. I jumped up and ran around calling out for my  things. But they were nowhere to be found. I mean, I've got nothing! I have been sleeping on a little mattress on the floor and it's just not the same.

5. I also noticed they took the letters that were on the wall above my bed. I said to mami "ABC all gone" and she looked up and said "Si, Little M, we packed those away". Mami said the letters spelled my name, so I do hope to see those again. The empty white walls are scary at night and I always ask papi to leave the hall light on for me.

6. On Saturday ALL of our friends came over. I thought it was my birthday, but I know that is not until later. Everyone kept saying "we are going to miss you" and when they left they had tears in their eyes and they kept kissing me and hugging mami. I'm staring to wonder, just how far is Washington DC?

Now I am sitting in an empty flat with only a few small toys and books with me. I really miss my bed and everything is bare. It doesn't feel very nice and I really miss the feeling cosy.

Tonight when mami said it was dinner time, I ran straight to the corner where my table used to be, but then I stopped , looked around and realised there was nothing there.

I turned around and said "table all gone papi". And I slowly walked over to the sofa where mami said I could eat and together we watched In the Night Garden. She kissed my head and said "it will be okay mi amor, soon we will have a new home".

I have been feeling very sad these past few days but being close to mami always makes me feel at home. Even if there is nothing around us.

How would you feel if everyday something else of yours was taken away?

Anything but my toys!

No mami, please! Don't take my toys!

When this moving and packing business began it was just your stuff and papi's stuff. I didn't think I was involved in this 'clearing out' thing you have going.

Oh sorry. For those of you reading let me explain. We've been packing and throwing things away and getting ready to move out of our home and go to the United States.

Yesterday mami made me take a nap in her bed. I thought that was a little bit suspicious because I never sleep in her bed.

I should have known something was up.

When I woke up from my nap, I found mami IN MY ROOM, with BIN BAGS and lots and lots of piles of my clothes and....my TOYS!

There they were. All in black bags.

I went over and saw my teddy, and my soft baby toys, and my blocks and wait...even my tool box! HANG ON ONE MINUTE! I thought my things were being shipped too?

So I started taking things out and putting them on my bed, under my bed. Anywhere safe from mami's grasp. I was grabbing what I could and scooping them up quickly before they were taken away again.

I had to save my toys because I knew where they were going....to the 'charity shop' next to the Starbucks. I know, because I helped mami take her stuff the day before.

Papi came in and said we were going out. And because I never turn down a chance to go to the playground I went with him.

So mami, I am watching you and I am keeping an eye on those bags.

Por favor, take anything but my toys!

Paws up for Tatty Puppy!

¡Hola! 

Been busy here getting ready for our move. I still don't get it all, but things are actually being packed away, so I think we are getting close to leaving. 

Anyway, I wanted to introduce you to my new shaggy grey dog with a blue nose Tatty Puppy from Carte Blanche.

He was sent to live with us a few weeks ago and I am happy to report that he has been getting along just fine with teddy, rhino, giraffe and all of my other animals. Good thing because we have a long flight ahead of us!

And he really is mine! 

He comes with an Owner's Certificate and his new name is now Woof Woof and I can carry him around in his very own kennel. 

Too cool! 

But he's not just any puppy. No way! He is like me, socially connected. Yep! 

He's got his very own website Me to You: My Place. 

It's a new free internet game that actually brings Tatty Puppy to life so you can see everything he does! Once you are at his site you can enter the special code that he comes with and that allows him to be ‘unlocked’ online. 

And don't worry, the online game is safe for us kids to play and it's also on Facebook! 

His website also has fun and educational mini games which I hear are great on the i-Pad! 

You can get your very own Tatty Puppy for £12.99 from Carte Blanche or Clinton Cards. 

OR...you can enter to win one with us!

Food fun! Make hotdog and spaghetti creatures

Mami saw something really cool on Facebook.

And when I say cool, I mean super duper best discovery EVER kind of cool.

She discovered...hotdog and spaghetti creatures!

So of course we made them.

I helped mami cut up the hotdogs, I broke the spaghetti sticks in half, made the creatures and then ate them. That was the best part!

We love this so much we want you to try it too!

So here's what you have to do, it's very easy:

1. Get a few hotdogs
2. Cut them up into pieces
3. Break spaghetti sticks in half or use curly pasta
4. Poke the sticks through the hotdogs making arms and legs
5. Cook them for 6-8 mins in boiling water (only mami can do this)
6. Then EAT THEM! (but first let them cool off)

We didn't come up with this idea, but we wanted to share it because it's so much fun!

What do you think? Are you going to try this out?

We are going to try to make more fun creations with food, but we would like to hear what you have made....we would like more ideas!

A family portrait?

It is really hard for us to get a good picture with all three of us in it.

So this was the next best thing....

Papi, mami and me 

Do not remove (c) Mummy's Busy World

Oh and in case you were wondering, I am on the far right.

Do you have a family picture without actually being in it? Show us!

Cheers!

KEWC3AN4S2SB

THIS is how to make Betty Crocker Whoopie Pies!

Can you believe mami had never heard of whoopie pies?! I know! And she grew up in the USA...geez.

So of course she had never eaten one or made them - she even called them whoopie cakes. Silly mami.

But after digging around her goody bag from the MAD Blog Awards on Friday, I found a box of Betty Crocker Whoopie Pie Mix. I recognised it instantly because we had made some of her cupcakes before.

I was excited because I am a natural in the kitchen, I had a new apron to try out and I know that Betty Crocker makes it very easy to bake so even mami can do it.

But you know what? Let me SHOW you just how I made the Whoopie Pies - check out my video!



Yummy right?!

Thanks to you Betty I started baking with mami. We love you very much!

Win a family pass to see Rio - The Ultimate Carnival Party!

Mami and I have been invited to see the Rio - The Ultimate Carnival Party Edition at London Zoo this weekend.

I actually can't wait to go because I love animals and I love movies. So it's the perfect day for me!

Rio, which is from the creators of Ice Age is a funny story about about an exotic bird named Blu who can't fly and his adventures in Rio de Janeiro. The film will be released on the 24th of October on Blu-Ray Triple Play, Blu-Ray 3D and on good old DVD (like we have) from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

But hold on!

Now you can win a family pass to see Rio on Saturday the 22nd of October at the Barbican Family Film Club, right here, right now!

The film features big actors like Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Jamie Foxx and Will.i.am (they do the voices!) and there is lots of dancing too.

To win tickets for a family of 4 to the screening at the Barbican watch the trailer then comment below:

1. Tell us what kind of bird Blu is

2. Leave your full name and contact email or twitter (mandatory)

Oh and you can also enjoy more with Rio and play the Birds vs Monkeys or the Rio in a Row games!

Gracias for coming by and good luck!

Rules

One entry per person

UK Only

Must be able to attend on the date

No other prize on offer
Travel not part of prize

Incomplete entries will NOT be counted

Winner selected at random if all requirements are met

Closes on Monday the 17th of October

Comments will not be shown 

Other competitions on Mummy's Busy World:

Win a pair of Hamster Buggy Bags

Nip+Fab Sheer Makeup Fix

We tried it! Hamster Buggy Bags

We are always in search of the perfect buggy bag.

Something not too big, not too small, but just right to fit what we need when we go out. Especially around London and when we have to go on public transport.

We were sent the Hamster Buggy Bags to try out.

Never heard of them?

We thought they were so fantastic, we put a video for you to see for yourself!

What did you think? Neat, huh?

More reasons why the Hamster Bags are so useful:

- You will have more storage space and no need to carry around bulky bags
- They come as a pair, so you get two bags instead of one
- The inside pockets are deep and you have easy access to the outside pockets for your keys or phone
- If you need to take the bags off, you can hang them over your shoulder
- And of course, safety comes first - so they have a reflective strip so that you are seen when it is dark
- They fit on a variety of buggies and pushchairs, so everyone can use them!

Papi did point out that if you go on the bus and the bags are full it can be difficult to get through the aisle, but other than that, it gets TWO hands up from me!

Now for the good part! The lovely Lara, who created the Hamster Bags has given us one pair to give away to a reader worth £29.99.

To win a pair of buggy bags you must:

1. Go to the Hamster Buggy Bags site and tell us what colour bags you would choose

2. Watch our video and tell us what is the MAIN reason mami and I love the Hamster Buggy Bags so much?

3. Please leave your answer in the comments below along with your name and contact details (email and/or twitter)

For an extra entry you can tweet:

 I want to win a pair of Hamster Bags with Little M and @verybusymama http://bit.ly/pSx9iE @Hamster_Bags

You can also find them on Facebook  or tweet them @Hamster_Bags

Gracias for coming by and good luck!

Comments will not be published until the competition closes
Only one entry person
UK & Ireland only
Colours subject to availability
Closes Tuesday the 25th of October
Winner selected at random is all requirements have been met


Other competitions on Mummy's Busy World:
Win a family ticket to see RIO at the Barbican on 22nd October!
Nip+Fab Sheer Makeup Fix

Mami Monday: Nip + Fab Sheer Make-Up Fix

It's Mami Monday!

Let's face it, Monday's are never fun. We don't know of anyone who actually likes this day so I thought I would make it a bit more cheerful by sharing things that mami really loves.

You know, "mami stuff" like makeup and other girl things that you mummies enjoy. So no kid stuff!

This week is brought to you by NIP+FAB Sheer Make-Up Fix (£14.95). Mami has most of their range and has happily been using it for the past year.

This one is a "complexion perfector" and is used BEFORE painting your face.
The range is found at Boots stores across the UK and funny enough, their product colours are the same as our blog! So besides mami liking it, I thought it was a good match for us.

If you don't know NIP+FAB go and check them out on Facebook and give them a thumbs up to stay up to date with their latest news.

In the meantime, mami and I have 5 of these face fixers to giveaway. That's the box in the picture....and that's me in the background!

To enter:

1. Leave a comment with your name and contact (email/twitter)
2. Follow us on Facebook or Google Friend Connect (your choice)
3. Tell us what you most like about yourself (can be anything!)

Good luck and Happy Monday!

One entry per person
UK only
Winner will be selected at random
Closes Monday the 10th of October

Other competitions on Mummy's Busy World:
Win a family pass to see RIO at the Barbican on 22nd October!
Win a pair of Hamster Buggy Bags

October summer lovin'

It's October now but that hasn't stopped if from being HOT HOT HOT!

I am not an expert at seasons, but last year at this exact time I was wearing wellies and a vest jacket.  I know that at this point in the year it shouldn't be this hot and sunny.

For those of you not in London, we have been having a heatwave for the past week. I'm talking mucho calor...up to 30 degrees and that is super hot, especially for us here in the UK.

Do not remove (c) Mummy's Busy World

I don't know about everybody else, but I have been enjoying every second of it... bare feet, ice cream, and extra time at the playground! Mami even had to unpack my shorts and swimming trunks.

Yesterday we went to my friend Sofia's house and we were in the pool all afternoon! I mean, playing in the pool in October is UNHEARD of.

Papi said autumn is on it's way this week, so before it all ends I just wanted to share my last fun in the sun moment.

What about you? Have you enjoyed the sun or do you just want it to be autumn already?