Rainy day fun

This past week the weather has been really funny. I mean really strange.

One moment it rains really really hard (so much that the rain drops hurt my head when we got caught outside) and the next the sun is out and it gets very very hot.

But anyway, that's the British summer for you! However when it rains for most of the day it means I can't go outside until it stops so we have to find fun things to do...inside.

I wasn't sure what mami had planned. But  I'm happy to report she came up with some very fun ideas - who knew she had it in her?

One day we made a tent and had our lunch inside of it. Even papi who was home joined us.

Another day I made pizza bagels - and I mean it when I say, I MADE THEM. I even got to use a knife, but the rule is I can only use one WITH mami, not alone. 

Mami surprised my by bringing out a craft kit that Fairy had sent us with eggs (not real ones!) paints, scissors and string to make athletes in honour of the London Olympics. Sneaky mami had kept this from me but better late than never!

I helped paint and cut out their arms and legs and we glued them on. That was a lot of fun because mami let me do whatever I wanted! We made Dan the Diver - but his swim suit looks like a pair of underwear - so funny!

And of course, we did eventually go outside, and mami put her boots on too and guess what we did? We jumped IN the puddles! Every single one of them on our street! Even the big one on the corner that she usually says I can't jump in. 

We both got very wet, but we didn't care!

See? Rainy days can be fun!

Do you have other ideas you can share with us? Because I hear there's a whole lot more rain coming and we need to keep busy!

Mami learns to draw with BiC Kids

I could always tell there was something wrong when I asked mami to draw me a big cat or a giraffe.

She would just look at me, then at papi and say, "you draw it" and then she would make circles, or flowers or the usual: a house. She never really tried to draw anything else.

To be honest, I don't really care what her drawings look like as long as she does them with me. I was happy when BiC Kids invited her to a discussion about getting creative.

Mami always said that "she couldn't draw" but after speaking with Early Childhood Development Professor Angela Anning she realised that because she wasn't encouraged she never really tried. BUT that she shouldn't be afraid to try...don't worry mami, I won't judge you! I just want you to draw and get messy with me.



So to get mami started BiC Kids sent us their entire range of crayons, markers, and coloured pencils. The pencils are very difficult to break and you can leave the markers uncapped for 2 months (which I do all the time) and they won't dry out!

They are seriously amazing and I take very good care of them so they last a long time. And they are washable - double good because I was so excited when I got them that I coloured behind my door. Sorry mami!

And to make things even better, Becky from Baby Budgeting who was at the discussion as well sent mami some books that teach her how to draw! You would be amazed at what she's done since...just watch the video!

You've come along way mami!

So let this be a lesson to other mummies and have a go a drawing and crafting. It's all about having a good time. Because when you have fun, WE have fun!

Soaking wet at the V&A

Yesterday we went to a big building called the Victoria & Albert Museum, or the V&A.

I had never been in a museum. I think it's because mami doesn't like them too much.

There are lots of paintings, statues of people with no clothes on and strange looking things that are really really old and you aren't allowed to touch.

We walked around for a bit and then I had to go potty. "Mami, pee pee" I said. And we took off running to the other end of the building to find a toilet.

I had to go a few more times after that and by then mami and papi got the hint that I was bored and we went outside. And guess what they have there?! A PADDLING POOL!

It had just stopped raining and the sun had come out just in time for me to go in. And so I did! And I got SOAKED! And played with the fountains and ran from one end to the other and back again.

Mami tried to stop me a first, then I saw her just give up and let me play. Yesssss!

We even made me a paper boat  - but I got it so wet it mushed together into a ball.

Apparently there are a million fun things to do there, but the paddling pool was all I needed!

An "inside" picnic

You know how it is. Some days the sun is out and other days it is dark and rainy.

Today we were supposed to have a picnic at the park and play baseball with papi.

But it started raining. And it didn't stop. And it still hasn't stopped.

So, mami said we were going to have a picnic inside. I thought, I like that! I get to eat on the floor, at HOME!

Mami packed our food in our lunches boxes (papi had one too!) and we all sat down to eat. When I was ready to play baseball, papi quickly said "no baseball in the house". Ahhhhhhh! I knew it was too good to be true. 

But still, I didn't let the rain get me down. I really liked our inside picnic.We even sang a few songs!

What sort of fun things do you do when its rainy?

Why everyone should own a bucket

I don't know why more people don't have buckets.

They have lots of functions and my red one makes my life so much easier.

It's not just for carrying water or to make sand castles at the beach. It's sooooo much more than just storage for my rock collection, the snails I pick off the wall, the sticks I find at the park or the ladybirds I carry around. I'm serious! My bucket can be used for every day living.

I realised that I was tired of sitting at the same table, eating from the same plate and using the same fork every night for dinner. I mean really mami, that is so boring!

So to make dinner time more fun, I took it upon myself to dump my plate of food into my bucket and eat it.

Mami looked at papi and asked "was the bucket clean?" he just shrugged his shoulders and said "I'm not sure" then they both looked back at me, but it was too late. I had already had the fork in my mouth.

Mmmm! Peas never tasted so good.

After that I had my jelly for dessert in the bucket too and then I made mami wash it out because I wanted to use it in the bath.

At that point mami tried to take it away from me, but I held the handle so tight that it was impossible for her to undue my super strong grip.

So in the bath it went. And I filled it with water and bubbles and poured it on my head.

After the bath I went around to the living room and put my favourite books in the bucket and carried them back to my room so mami could read them to me. Once I was in bed, I filled the bucket with a few toys for the morning and we said our prayers.

What a great end to the day!

See, I told you having a bucket comes in handy. You can use it for everything!

Dora helps you explore even more!

I would do anything for Dora the Explorer!

We have so much in common you know. We like to explore (obviously), try new games, we both speak Spanish and English and I won't go anywhere without my mochila, or backpack.

Doing my own exploring with papi at Stonehenge

And now Dora and Nick Jr. (you know, the channel her show is on) has started a campaign called Help Dora Help to encourage more exploration activities to nurseries and pre-schools across the UK.

I already have tons of fun at my nursery, but I think between Dora and I we could teach them a thing or two about exploring!

The campaign is supported by The Princes Foundation for Children and the Arts and includes a free activity pack that gives nurseries and pre-schools educational activity resources and the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £20,000.

According to mami, that's a whole lot of money!

The activity pack, created by education experts at Nick Jr. follows the Early Years Foundation Stage development goals and provides learning opportunities from Dora's adventures.

It has six activity session plans, a guide for teachers to encourage us kids to use our imaginations, solve problems and develop our sense of physical adventure.

I'm already pretty good at this, but hey, a little help doesn't hurt anyone!

Runners up will be awarded discovery and learning equipment packages and Dora HERSELF will visit a few of the nurseries. There will also be the opportunity for some of the nurseries to be featured on Nick Jr.

Sooooo cool! I hope they choose my nursery!

I have already told my teachers about this because I really want to meet DORA!

So if your kids go to nursery or pre-school, be sure to tell them about this chance with Dora and let them know they can apply for the free Help Dora Help Activity Pack and Award Fund at Nick Jr.

So, ¿qué esperan? What are you waiting for? Get applying!

We'll BEE at Latitude Festival!

The excitement is just too much to handle!

Mami and papi have always wanted to go to a music festival here in the UK but have never had the chance. But now I've been invited to Latitude Festival thanks to Rowse Honey. And of course I asked them if mami and papi could come too.

So, we are getting our wellies and sunglasses ready and we will be taking the choo choo train to Suffolk.   

Rowse Honey will have their very own Howse of Honey there and they are currently giving away five Rowse Family passes! All you have to do is go to their Facebook page and register there.

The Howse of Honey is going to be soooooo much fun for us kids! Once inside, I will get to learn all about beekeeping and have my face painted, do some dancing, check out a REAL beehive, and of course try some honey!

I hope mami doesn't get scared, she doesn't like bees too much.

So what are you waiting for?! Buzz on over to their page and get entering!

Good luck!

It's Little Charley Bear on DVD!

Do you know who Little Charley Bear is?

I didn't, but I do now!

I received two copies of Little Charley Bear's new DVD "Are you there Charley Bear" which was released last week.

One copy is for me and another is for one person to win.

Mami did a video telling you what SHE liked about it (Well, I'm in it too. You can see me turning on the DVD player at the end).

But I'll just say this, I have found myself a new favourite show to watch - two hands up from me!

To enter to win a copy watch the video and:

1. Comment saying "I want to win Charley Bear DVD" and tell us who is the voice of Charley Bear and how many episodes there are
2. Leave your email or twitter name so we can contact you if you win
3. For an extra entry you can tweet this competition (tweet button at the top)

One entry per person
UK Only
Closes on Tuesday the 28th of June 

You can watch Little Charley Bear on Cbeebies and visit his Facebook page too!

Good luck!

Working days and mami days

I don't know what every day is called, but I do know that one day a week mami doesn't work and stays home with me.

Then for two days after that papi is home with us.

And then after that I go to nursery and play with my friends. Then it happens all over again.

It has been like this since I turned one. I am two and a half now, but I still feel sad and confused when mami drops me off after 3 days together.

I don't cry or anything because crying is for babies, but I just feel we were having such a good time together so why ruin it and leave me at nursery? But I think mami (or papi, depends on who is taking me) feel the same way.

Cuddle time!

As soon as I realise we are nearing the nursery doors, I get really quiet and keep calling mami's name. Before going into my classroom I ask mami to carry me in and I hold on to her neck really really tight. So tight that sometimes it hurts her. 

And even if we have had a difficult morning and I didn't get my way, or I didn't want to get dressed, I forget all of that and I just want her to change her mind and go back home together.

But that doesn't happen.

She walks me to my breakfast table, sits me down and softly whispers "La mami te quiere mucho, mucho. Ya vuelvo a buscarte/Mami loves you very much, I'll be back soon" and kisses me all over.

At that point I usually laugh a little because her kisses tickle my neck and I look at her and say "Chao mami, te quiero mucho mucho/Bye mami, I love you very much". And she leaves to take the choo-choo train to her work.

tickle tickle!

By the time she is on the train, I am sitting at circle time dancing and singing with my friends and I am happy again. Besides, we are always doing something new and fun!

And so begins another week.

But I know that in a few days I will be snuggled up with mami and relaxing in our PJ's while she pretends to be sleeping then suddenly opening her eyes and tickling me. "Tickle, tickle, tickle" she says. And I yell out and try to escape. It's a game we play, and she gets me every time!

I know that a lot of mummies work and that we are not the only ones who go through this. But we really do try to enjoy every moment we have together. And with papi too! Besides, I need a break from them.

But SHHHH, don't say that too loud, mami might not like to hear that, it would break her heart.

How do you divide your time between work and your kids? Do you plan special activities or just take it easy?

Guess who? It's Big Sis!

Mami and I are SOOOOOOO excited!

This is the first time we have a guest post on our blog.

It didn't take us but a half a second to invite Big Sis to write for us. I mean she sometimes writes for her busy mummy too and she knows how to have fun just like me!

So here we go, she shares her day at the LolliBop Picnic and don't forget to leave a comment for her.

Hi, I'm Big Sis. You might recognise me from Mummy's Little Monkey.

When my buddy Little M asked if I'd write a guest post on his blog, I replied, 'Of course!'

Little M and I go waaaaaay back - almost one year now, which, when you're only 2 and 3/4, is a really REALLY long time.

Big Sis and Little M

I was looking forward to seeing him at the LolliBop picnic last Wednesday, so was really sad to hear that he couldn't make it, because his Mami had to do something called 'work'.

So I thought I'd tell him all about it, so he wouldn't feel left out.

When I first arrived at Regent's Park I was a little bit shy, and stuck close to my Mummy, and Lil Sis. But then I spotted all the games and decorations, and forgot all about my nerves.

I could hear Mummy calling for me to 'Slow down!' as I ran towards a huge cloud of balloons. I grabbed a bunch and began running around the park, trailing them behind me. It was so much fun!

I tried to play Swingball, but no matter how hard I swung my bat, I kept missing the ball. Then I tried to hula hoop, but it just kept falling straight to the ground, so I just jumped in and out of it instead. Oh well - Mummy says it's the trying that counts.

I was colouring in some pictures of Charlie and Lola when Mummy called me over to tell me Peppa Pig had arrived at the picnic!! I was so excited I ran straight over to say hello.

I gave her an extra long cuddle, but then Mummy told me I had to give the other kids a chance to give her a hug too. I didn't want to leave, but I know it's important to share.

Luckily I spotted a man blowing hugemungous bubbles that floated through the air, and got distracted chasing them around. But when I finally caught up with one, and grabbed it in my hands, it disappeared!

There was so much to see and do at the LolliBop picnic, that I barely even had time to eat my cheese sandwiches, and my mini-cupcakes with sparkly sprinkles on top.

But I did find time to squeeze in a little face painting. What do you think??

Now I can't wait for the proper LolliBop Festival on August 5-7.

Little M and I are going to have sooooooooo much fun!

Big Sis

Tidy up time with Fairy Non Bio

Remember when I told you about my very special and personalised toy box from Fairy Non Bio and when I got to go see Winne the Pooh the movie?!

Well, I have some really good news - Fairy Non Bio has given us one toy box to giveaway to one lucky reader!

Haven't seen my box? Have a look below - the winner will get their name or blog name on it.

I actually enjoy tidying up or ordenar. Really! Mami has a special song that we sing together while we pick up our toys.

"Ordenar, ordenar cada cosa en su lugar/tidy up, tidy up, everything in it's place" and we march around picking everything up and putting it all away in my box.

And because Fairy Non Bio know how important it is for families to spend time together (even if it is tidying up) they teamed up with Disney’s Winnie the Pooh to encourage families to share those magical moments. 

And that is where I come in to give you the chance to win a special limited edition gift box, including Fairy and Winnie the Pooh goodies. 

Trust me, you will LOVE them!

And besides that, mami absolutely loves how soft and fragrant our clothes are with Fairy. Oh, and its gentle on sensitive skin like mine.

Now, back to the toy box, all you have to do to enter is: 


1. Comment and tell us how you make tidy up time fun or your special technique 
2. Follow on RSS OR Google Connect OR subscribe to receive emails (your choice)
3. Recommend our blog to one other person (tweet or email)
4. Leave your twitter or email so we can contact you if you win
5. For an extra entry you can tweet I want to tidy up & win a personalised toy box with Fairy Non Bio and @verybusymama http://bit.ly/mOmHEf 

One entry per person
UK only
Winner selected a random
Competition closes on Monday 20th of June at midnight
Must do numbers 1- 4 

Good luck and remember to ordenar!

Me, the fly hunter

Lately I've been helping papi with the chores of the house.

You know the fun stuff like helping take out the recylcing bins or pairing his socks.

But now that the windows are open all day I noticed we get a lot of insects likes flies, ladybugs and even bees coming in.

And that's where papi and I take over because as soon as they starting buzzing around papi likes to swing at them with a swater.

I don't know about you but I think it is fun to watch them zoom by, especially bees but mami gets nervous and makes papi hit them.

So, when papi isn't at home and I see a mosca or fly buzzing around, I quickly grab the swater from the kitchen and get to work.

There is a special technique to it all. You can't just go crazy and starting swinging. I've seen papi, and I think I know just how to get those moscas.

That's me trying to get a mosca that flew into the kitchen

First I stand very quietly in the middle of the room and follow the buzzing noise. Once I see where it has landed, I slowly walk over to it and very carefully but very swiftly swat the mosca.

Sometimes they are faster than me and they fly away, but when papi and I hold the swater together, we ALWAYS get it! 

So much fun! I just wish this house had more flies, I would just chase them all day long!

I'm sure I will get one without papi's help and I won't stop until I do!

Cupcake fun with Betty Crocker!

Mami actually let me IN the kitchen. I can't believe it happened! Yesssss!

Usually I'm not allowed in. Papi even put up a gate to keep me out when they are cooking. I do go in there every once in a while, but I haven't had the chance to actually make something.

This miracle occurred thanks to a lady named Betty Crocker. She sent us her new Lemon Cupcake and Icing mix to make together and mami thought "why not?"

This Mrs Crocker really believes in the benefits of Family Baking and Bonding and encouraging family fun. 

And all I can say is SO DO I!

We are all about family and friends fun!

To give her credit, mami has been thinking of getting me to cook, but just hadn't come around to it. (I did help her make my bread pizza once, but it was so long ago I can't remember it too well).

Anyway, mami invited my friends Little G and Little X to get into the baking action. We set up my table in the kitchen and we got to work.

It's really REALLY easy!

We mixed the yellow power with 2 eggs, oil and water. Little G and I stirred as fast as we could and we sang "mix, mix mix"

I was in charge of the icing. I tasted it several time to make sure it was just right.

We decorated them with the yellow sprinkles it came with and added a few other topping mami had bought for us.

Mami liked baking with me so much that she and her friend made plans to continue our 'baking Fridays".

Betty Crocker is a very nice lady and she has no idea how happy she made me, I have been begging to get into the kitchen!

P.S. Mami, I hope you keep your promise and bake more with me. I really love it!

There IS sun in the UK!

This is a special post for all of our friends outside of the UK.

This may come as a shock to some, but as a Londoner I just have to set the record straight:

The sun DOES shine here. And there are beaches and lots and lots of trees and green parks.

And I do mean A LOT of parks. I should know, I think I have been to every single one here in the city.

See the sun shining on my cheeks?

Yes, it rains and there are clouds, but we do have beautiful sunny days.

Lots of green parks

As a matter of fact, papi says that in one year it rains more in Washington D.C. than it does here in London.

Enjoying the sun and picking a flower for mami

So please, when you visit us don't act surprised when the sun comes out and say things like "Oh, I didn't think it could be so sunny here!" or post things like "London here I come, I hope it doesn't rain" on your Facebook page.

I even get to wear shorts!

Just enjoy the unpredictable weather, which includes clear skies and the bright sun.

Oh and it gets hot here too. WOW!

Just like mami...and papi

"He looks just like you. You have the same face!" people say to mami when they see us together.

But then after taking a closer look and seeing me play for a bit, they come back and say "Well, he does look a lot like his papi too. They have the same walk!"

And it continues. Everyone has their opinion on this.

I think I look like ME, Little M but I suppose I can see some similarities.

Have a look:

Papi and I with our backpacks

Mami doesn't mind being silly with me

Okay, okay, so we are in sync here!

I kept taking mami's sunglasses so she got me a pair

Now I am more confused than before. So just who do I look like?!

I've even been told I look like my tío Tomás. I wouldn't mind that at all, he has big muscles and is really really strong!

So what about you? Do your little one's look more like their mummies or daddies?