A perfect afternoon

Enjoying a lovely walk through Chiswick House Grounds with papi.

What a perfect afternoon!

Not so secret admirer

Other than your family and friends, do you know who reads your blog?

If you are like us then you have some idea with analytics telling you where people are viewing from, right down to what country, city, referring site, network domain, network location and even what type of computer and mobile device.

Pretty amazing, right?

Well given that information mixed with some common sense mami has figured out that a certain someone in her office has been keeping up with our blog and liking what I write.

Awww thanks.

They may not be our typical reader, but they check in on a regular basis, daily even. Nice!

I'm guessing they will never admit to it, and that's okay. The important thing is that we know that you are reading us.

So on this Friday morning mami and I are waving hello to you and to a few other not so secret admirers we have discovered.

Enjoy the weekend and make sure to check back on Monday.

Bye for now!

Thank you for NOT cutting my hair

I would like to take this moment to say gracias to mami for NOT cutting my hair again and instead taking me to papi's barber shop.

They did a much better job AND I got a lollipop.

Sorry mami!

One year ago we began this blog

I can't believe it - one year ago, on the 18th of April 2010 I began this blog for mami. She had been talking about "starting a blog" for some time, but never got around to it because as she put it, "I am too busy".

I thought, I know how to use a computer and a Blackberry so why not blog for her?

And so Mummy's Busy World began. I blogged about our busy lives and she tweeted. I thought I might hand it over to her, but this has worked out really well for us. We love it!

We were reading the posts from this time last year and mami got really sentimental seeing what we were up to then.

That's me this time last year - I was working on my first blog post

Going back to work, me at nursery, our days together and even some scary moments like when I fell and chipped my front tooth and when I got hand, foot and mouth disease. Yuck!

Amazing to see how much we have changed, how much bigger I've got (and how much more hair I have) all of the people we have met and all of the fantastic opportunities presented to us which would not have been possible otherwise - biggest one being mami being sponsored by Nestle Pure Life to run the London marathon which she did yesterday! (more on that this week)

I could go on and on about this, but we just want to thank everyone who reads our silly stories, ( I know, I talk about poop, a lot) and takes the time to stop by and say hello - we are very grateful!

We will be celebrating all week and I have have a little giveaway too.

So on the first anniversary of our blog we want to know why you started your blog and what has been the highlight of your year.

Leave us a comment below and share your first blog post if you want!

And if you are curious, here's my first ever blog post.

Caca on demand?!

Lately I have been losing my patience.

When mami doesn't change my poopy nappy right away I just take it off myself. I don't like the mushy feeling and really, would YOU want to sit around on a big pile of poo? I don't think so.

I've given her plenty of warning. When I feel that I am going to do something, I loudly announced that I am doing caca.

Still, she just changes me and ignores the fact that I have pulled off my nappy 3 times in past week.

But this weekend she finally got it together and I have been spending lots of time on the special Ducky Potty that Fisher Price sent me, or the pelela as it's called in Spanish.

 There it is, my potty. Completely empty and clean

Problem is, every time mami sits me on it I don't have to go. Does she just expect me to poo on demand?!
I spent an hour running around without my nappy on Saturday morning and nada. Then again in the afternoon and nothing.

Papi was terrified that I was "going to do something" on their bed or on the carpet. Please papi, give me some credit!

Then at night we went out and... boom! Caca happened. Mami had been waiting for it all day, but she just wasn't lucky enough to have me sitting on the potty at the time.

Sorry mami! Better luck next time.

And so it continues. Mami has offered dulces or candy if I do caca, but I just haven't felt the need to.

I'll let you know if anything happens this week, I just really don't like being pressured.

Vitamin D fix

The GP told mami her Vitamin D levels were very low.

She didn't look very surprised, as a matter of fact she just laughed and said "Yes, along with the rest of the UK".

I didn't really know what she was talking about, but I think it has something to do with not getting enough sun.

Today the sky looks really blue, like water and the sun is really yellow and shiny. We were out of the house nice and early - not very usual for us.

My shades

Mami's serotonin levels must be way up because we ran around the park, had our morning snack and went shopping all before midday!

It's amazing what a little sunshine does to her. And me!

Mami and me catching some rays

Today was also the first day in a looooong time that I didn't have to keep my jacket on. I hope it stays this way because I want to wear shorts, I think those are cool.

I hope it's a beautiful day where you are, I'm sure all mami's could use a little sunshine.

Bye bye,

M is for....Mess!

Hola everyone!

innocent drinks officially named mami the Queen of M and I'm her King, of course!

I think they gave us M for obvious reasons...Little M and Mami

The challenge

Take a picture of the M magnet next to something starting with the same letter.

So, I went into my room and did just that...

Can you guess what the M is for?

M is for... Mess!

Do you see it?

There it is!


Want to take your own pictures?

Each pack of innocent smoothies come with 3 alphabet fridge magnets.

So get snapping and then upload them on the innocent kids website to that day’s letter and play to win daily prizes!

Cool huh?

We think so!

Your Queen and King of M

It's a secret....bread

There is a new kind of bread we have been eating, and it has a secret.

It actually has seeds in it, but you can't see them.
 
It's  secretly seeded bread by Kingsmill and after telling mami about it, they sent me a loaf to try.

How did they know that bread is my absolute favourite food?!

Okay, so here's the inside scoop: Kingsmill have ground up the seeds and mixed it into the bread. So it tastes really yummy and you get all the special nutrients that seeds have without having to chew them.

I don't like pieces of seeds in my bread, I always spit them out so this is a win-win situation for mami and I.

They have some really good recipes you can try out with this bread.

Pizza with secretly seeded bread

My personal favourite is...PIZZA! See mami thinks I don't know the difference between real pizza and pizza made with bread, but I do. Truth is I don't mind because its soooo good!

It's really easy to make:

1. First turn on the oven
2. Take two pieces of secretly seeded bread lightly toasted
3. Drizzle a little olive oil on each
4. Spread tomato with veggie sauce on each
5. Put a handful of shredded ham on each
6. Grate some cheese on top
7. Then put it in the oven for 5 - 6 min
8. Take it out
9. Let it cool because it is very hot
10. Then EAT IT!

Mmmmm!

Mami and papi really like it too, even though mami really should stay off the carbs!





Mami's LA Getaway: Featuring Glee, Matthew Rhys and Dunder Mifflin

Mami and papi's big vacation to LA turned out to be better than they ever expected! Not that they thought it would be bad, but mami came home gushing about all the great things they got to do.

I didn't do too bad myself here with grandma and grandpa, I got to go to McDonald's and eat lots of chocolate!

Before leaving I heard her tell papi, "I would love to meet someone from The Office, Mad Men, Brothers and Sisters or Glee"  (these are all her favourite TV shows).

Papi just quietly smiled and shook his head. But I know he was thinking I was thinking - Okay mami, good luck with that!

But low and behold, her three of her wishes came true in one way or another:

1. She went on Glee and got to see where the show is filmed - sorry to tell you McKinley High School isn't real, and neither is Mr. Shue's apartment. It's all make-believe or a "set".

Who knew?

Mami in the McKinley High Auditorium

Mami in the Glee choir room!

2. She and papi drove by the Scranton Business Park where the office of Dundler Mifflen is located (but only from the outside)

Scranton Business Park - The Office

3. And lastly, on her way back from LA she ran into actor Matthew Rhys at LAX airport!

He is on the show Brothers and Sisters and mami didn't hesitate to go up to him and they talked for a little while. Papi said she got on the plane with a huge smile on her face.

Cheeeeeese! Mami with actor Matthew - papi didn't know who he was!

See, everyone likes meeting someone from TV, but mami absolutely loves watching good shows and good movies and is always wanting to know where everything is filmed, how it's done, and who the actors are. Mostly I think because she wishes she could have continued with her acting.

Maybe one day she will, you never know, right?

Well, now it's back to reality for all of us, no more waking up late and doing whatever we want. I just hope next time they take me on vacation.  I want to meet Handy Manny or Dora!

Who have you met or would like to meet?

Mami and papi in LA LA land

Okay, so mami and papi left a few days ago and have not come back. They have left before, but they are usually back within a few hours.

Don't get me wrong, I am having lots of fun hanging out with grandma and grandpa, but I didn't realise that going on vacation meant NOT COMING HOME FOR A FEW DAYS.

Mami and papi, just how far is LA? And when are you coming back?!

When they called yesterday I found out more details:

LA is short for Los Angeles which is in a place called California which is in the United States which is 11 and a half hours away from the UK and they had to take an airplane. There is lots of sun and lots of famous people live there too (mami must love that!)

Mami and papi in Santa Monica

Flexing her muscles

So far they have not seen anyone famous, but they almost got to be extras for a movie taking place on the Santa Monica Pier but they couldn't stay all day.

Papi sent me this picture - apparently Big Bird is so well known he has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. So cool!

Big Bird has a star!

So that's it for now. Sounds like they are having a good time, but I hope they take me next time, I want to go to the beach too!

But mami and papi, if you are reading this, I miss you!

P.S. And don't worry about grandma and grandpa, I am taking good care of them!

Mami at Crufts!

I can't believe mami did not take me to Crufts, the biggest dog in the world! I mean, I LOVE DOGS!

But she did explain that it was for work and that we could go another time. Okay, mami, I won't forget that promise!

But I did get over it pretty quick when I realised it would just be me and papi all day long. I love spending time with him - he lets me do almost anything I want.

Mami doesn't know that, but it's true.

Anyway, mami was at the NEC Birmingham and she got to meet some great bloggers who had been invited for a fun day out - Roz from Kin Hodgkins, Fi from Childcare is Fun, Liz from Me and My Shadow and Louise from Rock and Roll Baby World.

 Roz, Louise, Fi, Liz and mami 

I was hoping she would come home with a doggy, but all she came home with was a pen and sore feet. 

No fun!

Make Mine Milk Challenge!

Ever since mami met the Make Mine Milk team a few months ago, she has been drinking more milk (remember our milk tashes?!)

It's true!

Especially now that she is training for the London marathon, she has been having milk after her long runs and realising that milk is also a good snack during the day.

And to prove she drinks the white stuff we have taken the Make Mine Milk challenge!



I spilled it on my favourite dinosaur t-shirt and it was too cold for mami's sensitive teeth.

She was trying to beat Justin Bieber's time, but that didn't happen!

Total time: 48 seconds

Are you going to take the challenge?!

Magic words

I think my glue ear is getting better, I am talking lots more and even saying short sentences.

Mami and papi are so proud and I'm just excited to be hearing new sounds!

I can hear the keys in the door when papi gets home
I hear the music on mami's computer when she logs in
I can hear my teacher call my name at nursery
I can hear the ducks quacking at the park
I can hear the neighbours dog barking outside

I always could hear something but it wasn't very clear. Now I am repeating lots of words that mami says and trying  to pronounce them right. I am still having a hard time with that, I just can't properly say certain words.

But I have learned two very magical words: por favor (please) and gracias (thank you).

When I say them, mami's eyes light up and she smiles at me. Even if I've been naughty, she softens up and most of the time I get what I ask for.

Magic I tell you, M-A-G-I-C!

I think all grownups should try saying these magic words and don't forget to include a smile.

You will be amazed at how they work, I say them every chance I get!

Ouch!!

Guess what? After hurting my finger yesterday at nursery my teacher put a band-aid (or plaster as she calls it) on my finger!

I've never had to wear one of these, but she put it over my cut and it stayed in place. I walked around very carefully making sure my band-aid and finger didn't touch anything. I didn't want it to fall off.

When mami came to pick me up, I walked right over to her and showed her my band-aid and said "cool" (that's a new word I learned recently).

Later, when papi got home I ran to the door and showed him my finger. And because I wanted to be cuddled, especially after cutting my finger, I asked daddy to give me my milk just like a baby.

Hey, sometimes you just want that extra attention. I mean, mami does it all the time!

Coffee anyone??

Mami loves coffee. I mean, really loves coffee.

I have a feeling she likes it as much as I like milk.

I've never tried the drink but I know her mornings are not complete unless she has a cup and then has a few more throughout the day.

I can't blame her, we all have something we can't live without. For me its my milk and tete (dummy) and for mami it's her coffee and iPhone.

Well, someone must be keeping close tabs on us, because the coffee people Douwe Egberts sent mami their new ground coffee product Douwe Egberts Aromettes that launched yesterday exclusively at Tesco.

What makes them different is that they are individually pressed servings of ground coffee. They have been compressed into the shape of a coffee bean and have the taste and aroma locked in. You can use one aromette for each cup of coffee.

Easy!

You can use it in a filter coffee machine like we have or in the cafetiere, which we also have.

There are two different kind : Smooth (that's number 3) and Intense (number 5).

Mami went straight for the number 5 - Intense.

She even has a cup of coffee before going for a run to give her "an extra boost".

Now you can try these too!

One lucky winner will win two tins of Douwe Egberts Aromettes AND a £50 voucher to Tesco (that's where they are sold)

So what are you waiting for? I know how much all of you mamas love your coffee!

Here's what you have to do:

Follow @DouweEgbertsUK on twitter

Follow our blog or mami on twitter (take your pick) @verybusymama

Leave us a comment saying "Show me the coffee!" and how best to contact you

For an extra entry you can tweet:

Show me the coffee! I want to win Aromettes and £50 Tesco voucher with @verybusymama and @DouweEgbertsUK  http://ow.ly/3WFrM

One entry per person

UK only

Ends Tuesday 1st of March
Winner chosen at random based on entry requirements

Prize sent out within 30 days

Buena suerte!

I'm just like mami!

I don't know why people still think mami is my nanny.

I mean we are so alike!

And what mami feels, I feel.

When she laughs, I laugh.

When she is upset, I get upset too.

When she hugs and kisses me, I give her a hug and kiss too (well, sometimes)

Don't believe me? Check look at the pictures!

Happy LOVE day mami.

Te quiero mucho!

P.S. that's a dinosaur on my face!

Mami and Dove Visible Effects

Holaaaaaa! It's been a week or of non-stop action.

Nursery is getting serious now, gone are the good old days of running around and playing with toys.

Now I actually have to pay attention.

I have to count to 10, learn colours, learn different shapes and repeat new words. They are even trying to teach me something called French. It can be overwhelming you know.

And mami, well, she says she is "all over the place" with work and well, mostly work. Oh, and training for the London marathon, running makes her extra tired.

Anyway, I'm here now and mami has asked me to do a special giveaway for all you mamas out there.

Dove sent mami their new visible effects body lotion and hand cream to try out. I'm sure that if I have dry skin during the winter, that grown ups do too.

It's a new formula that provides "supreme moisture" because it works and nourishes every layer of your skin and making your skin look really nice.

Mami has been using it a lot on her legs and elbows because she says those areas are the most dry. Just like me! (but I have my own lotions)

So far so good and it smells good too!

Mami likes it and since we like to share what we like, Dove has given us both the body lotion and the hand cream to give to one lucky winner - and it's really easy to enter.

This is what you have to do:

1. Give Dove a like on their Facebook page

2. Leave us a comment saying you have done so and a quick hello!

And if you want an extra entry you can tweet:

Say NO to dry skin! Win Dove Visible Effects with @verybusymama and Little M http://bit.ly/hHPJRk

(you will have to leave me a comment to tell me you have tweeted)

And that's it!

One entry per person

UK only

Ends Friday 25th February 8.00pm

Winner selected at random if No 1 & 2 are complete

And of course, buena suerte!

You cheered us up!

Some days are harder than others, you know the pressure of going to nursery, having to play all day, sing the loudest, dance the best. You get the idea.

And for mami too, being tired, having lots of work and all those grown up problems she seems to talk about.

But then the smallest gestures of kindness from others can cheer you right up!

1st thing that cheered us up

A few days before turning two, I got a card from "a fan". Yes, really that's how she signed the card. Well, I know her, she's Diane, mami's friend, a Style and Arbonne consultant, but still it made us laugh. She sent me card wishing me a happy birthday, now how cool is that?

Thank you Diane you really cheered me up!

2nd thing that cheered us up

Antonella from Living Abroad always stops by my blog to say hi and to see what mami and I are up to. She also knew it was my birthday and a few days later I got some very special gifts from her.

Antonella, you really cheered mami and me up and we are so grateful that you thought of us. We hope we can meet you in person some day.

Besos!

3rd thing that cheered us up

After losing the tops to mami's swiggies, you know, the water bottles that strap to your wrists, Louise from Swiggies UK not only sent her a new pair, but I got my very own kid sized swiggies! Hers are purple and mine are green.

Very, very cool!

4th thing that cheered us up

In one day we received a big box with yummy cupcakes and special honey from Rowse Honey AND a pint glass from Make Mine Milk to take the milk challenge. I tell you, the fastest way to a bloggers heart really is through their tummies.

Thanks for thinking of us!

5th thing that cheered mami up

However, the second way to mami's heart is through makeup and "girl things". So when the nice people at Montagne Jeunesse sent mami a love day, or "Valentine's" day package with a few goodies, including some fruit tasting lip gloss mami was beaming with happiness (and fruitiness).

Thanks for cheering her up - she needed a pick me up.

And the final thing that REALLY cheered us up

Now this one really took us by surprise, the girls at Azaria PR sent mami and I...wait for it...a Bloggy Brilliant Award in the form of a cookie! Not only do they like my blog but I can eat my award too! It really doesn't get any better than this.

But before I eat it, I took a picture to remember it.

That's me with my cookie award!

I hope it tastes as good as it looks. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to the team at Azaria for thinking of mami and me.

You most certainly cheered us right up.

I'm off to take a nap now, but I'll be back soon!