Dino Jaws Dinosaur Exhibition

On Friday, I went to the Dino Jaws exhibition with Daddy and Little Lady.

I haven't been to a museum or exhibition in some time, although it's something I used to enjoy. I can think of a dear friend of mine, who when they knew I was having a bad day would take me somewhere like this to learn or discover something new.

Dino Jaws is an exhibition of Dinosaurs at New Dock Hall in Leeds, which has been created by the  Natural History Museum, featuring life-like animatronic dinosaurs, including a 3/4 sized replica of a T.rex!  

As well as showing the dinosaurs, there is information relating to each one, about their diets, environments, and structures. 

 

The exhibition also includes some hands on experiences too, for example we fossil hunted, touched the contents of a fossilised dinosaur stomach, and felt some dinosaur poop!

 

Although the website advises: 

The exhibition is aimed at school groups and families with children aged seven and older, with some activities aimed at children aged four to six.

Little Lady enjoyed it, apart from the T.rex, his roar vibrates the floor, but once she was lifted off it she was roaring along.  There were quite a few smaller children there who seemed to be happy.

 

A great family day out.

Prices 

Online - In Advance 

Adult / Child Admission - £5.95
Child aged 3 and under - £0

Family of 4 admission - £22.00

On the day

Adult / Child Admission - £6.95
Child aged 3 and under - £0

Family of 4 admission - £25.00

Dino Jaws Website

Dino Jaws on Twitter

Reasons to be Cheerful

Michelle at Mummy from the Heart started running the link up as a way for us to appreciate the small things in life. However, since my break from blogging she has passed over the reins to oJo over at oJo's World.

This week's Reasons to be Cheerful: 

• As I mentioned in Wobbles Wednesday, I've tried to be good and have tried to get out for a walk when I'm up to it.
• I've registered for my next O.U. course, nerves and apprehension already but at least I will try.
• I have cut down the amount of time I'm online. I use Swagbucks to try and earn some Amazon Gift Cards for things I need and for Kiki's birthday presents, but I cannot be bothered at the moment.
• Kiki hasn't been herself for last few days, that in itself obviously isn't a reason to be cheerful, but she has being giving me lots of cuddles and Daddy got lots too.
• I'm thinking about deleting my A-Z of Me and starting again, although not sure as it shows where I was and how far I've come.
• I shared some of my old blog posts I have mental health problems! and Depression, self harm, pregnancy, and F*ck ups on Facebook, not something I ever do, they are separate friends to this part of my life, if that makes sense; and they were received quite positively. One friend actually asked if she could share on her own page.
• I was invited to Stockeld Park for an exclusive VIP pre-opening event for the Summer Adventure, I'm excited as I've never been, but have heard great things. 
• As always, people who matter, are around us.   

So over to you, what have you been up to this week? 

What are your reasons to be cheerful? Do let me know.

Wobbles Wednesday

As usual, for Wobbles Wednesday, I'm not on time. One day I will surprise you and post on a Wednesday! Well, maybe...

This week I haven't done much to improve either my mental or physical health, I've thought about it and tried a little.

Plus points, I'm thinking of re-joining Fat Club or maybe trying Lighter Life, if my budget stretches that far. Actually, think they'd give me a few months free to blog?!

Will blog for weight loss?

Seem reasonable to me ;)

I've also been looking to see if there's any gyms with crèche's close by, there isn't. But I did download the Couch to 10K app and have looked at it, it seems doable, so that's next week's goal to try.

I have tried to get out for a walk on the day's I've been up to it, every little helps as Mr T would say.

I'm trying to be a bit better about eating, but it's all very emotionally linked for me, so is difficult. Plus it is nearly the end of the month which means eating whatever is in.

I'm very concious about what I give my daughter though. She eats well most of the time, with plenty of fruit and vegetables. I was stressed whilst we were on holiday that she didn't eat much and what she did was crap, so much so my friend actually said 'you're acting like you feed her crack cocaine!'. Apparently, I am that bad! Oops.

O.U. - Trying again....

Some of you may remember my struggles and stresses with my Design and Designing course last year, that I passed, surprising myself! 

Afterwards, I started a new course with the O.U. and had to drop out, or defer as they call it, as I didn't have the concentration needed. I have decided to re-register and try again, so come October I'm going to be trying again to complete Advanced Creative Writing.

Hopefully, I can get back to writing before then, even if just bits here and there. To be honest, I still have all my previous ideas kicking around...

Silent Sunday

Reasons to be Cheerful

I've not been around for a while, my mental health has needed more attention than the blog, but I am at the stage I need to start acknowledging the small wins again.

Michelle at Mummy from the Heart started running the link up as a way for us to appreciate the small things in life. However, since my break from blogging she has passed over the reins to oJo over at oJo's World.

This week's Reasons to be Cheerful: 

• I had a good holiday, quite stressful in places, but lovely to be out in the sunshine, even if I'm paying the price now. 
• The sunshine, I always feel better when the weather is sunny and warm, don't you?
• I had a telephone call that I think I handled ok. Normally I email or snail mail, but I had problems that needed a point of contact and he wasn't good at getting back to me. I didn't get the answers I wanted but still, I managed a call.
• My daughter continues to amaze and astound me on a daily basis.
• The World Cup is on, we crashed out very early, but there's some great football being played.
• As always, people who matter, are around us.

So over to you, what have you been up to this week? 

What are your reasons to be cheerful? Do let me know.

A challenge for myself

It's been a while since I last posted for Wobbles Wednesday, actually since I did any weight loss.

I realised that I'm actually useless at eating less, food is a major comfort to me, and I like exercise but find it a chore.

I used to enjoy running, but haven't done any in so long, I'm too unfit to run for a bus these days!

So what's a girl to do?

Well, what any serious sadist would do, set myself a goal that will measure and test my fitness, a 10K run! 

I am realistic and have set myself a year to do it, that's get the fitness up, not the actual run ;-)

Oh and I roped a mate in too.

So over the coming months, expect some proud of myself posts (hopefully) and some rants! 

Wish me luck x

Today

Today is my favourite kind of day, long lie in with snuggles, now curled up on sofa having cuddles.
I'd never fight to keep anyone in mine or Kiki's lives. If people don't want to be there for us, that's their loss.
We have some amazing friends around us, you all know who you are x

Rest of Birthday presents and Kiki's invitation to play

We got back from holiday last night and after unpacking and settling in a little, we set up Kiki's remaining presents. 

Butlins Birthday

As we were away for Kiki's birthday, we took some of her presents with us to leave out for her in the morning.

I took wrapping paper, but forgot sellotape so left them unwrapped.

Like she cared, she was happy to get straight in to playing. She especially loved her little dolls' house from her Uncle and Aunt.

Photo Image Transfer Canvas Mod Podge Craft

Following on from my post, Photo Canvas Mod Podge Craft, I looked at other Pinterest pins to see about getting a better, more realistic photo canvas effect, instead of just using proper photographs.

I learnt about image transfer from copies. There are lots of pins and blogs on photo image transfer canvas Mod Podge crafts.

This is the method I used to transfer the photograph.

• I chose the picture I wanted to use
• opened it with Photoshop
• Resized image to 7cm x 7cm. Image > Image Size > change width & height to 7cm. I need to untick constrain proportions.
• I then flipped the photograph so it was a mirror image. In Photoshop, Image > Rotate Canvas > Flip Canvas Horizontal.
• On some pictures I increased colour / saturation too.
• I printed the photograph using my home inkjet print.
• I cut the photograph out.

•  Next I applied a layer of Mod Podge to the canvas, I think this can be done either way round on to canvas or to photograph.

• I then laid the image of the canvas, ink side down.

There are two options now.

1. Leave to set for 5 minutes or so and carefully peel off the paper whilst Mod Podge wet.
2. Leave to dry overnight.

• I preferred the result from leaving over night, ink seems to soak in more.

 

•  Next, get a small dish / tub of water and wet the canvas. The image will start to show through the back of the photograph again.
• Gently, rub the paper off. Wear gloves if possible, otherwise expect an ink stained finger!

 

• Keep going, it takes patience at this point, but carefully! This one I was a bit heavy handed on!

• I broke all the rules of the Pinterest pins next, I rinsed the canvas under a slowly running tap. Most posts stay that coating in another couple of layers of Mod Podge will deal with the bits of paper left. But hey, I'm a craft rebel!
• I left to dry for several hours, before coating with a couple of layers of Mod Podge.

My next couple of attempts were a lot better, but it's still a bit hit and miss, due to my heavy-handedness. 
Some have been good enough to give as presents, some went straight in the bin! ha!

I bought my canvases from Poundland.

Silent Sunday