Help… Alice-Sara needs you!

So yesterday we were sent a very exciting email with an attached copy of the Ice Age 4: Continental Drift trailer to download. The film is the upcoming fourth instalment of the Ice Age films and to celebrate this exciting new release, ODEON are searching for their first Official Junior Reviewer for the film – which will be showing in cinemas from July 13th. It’s a brilliant and fun opportunity to be a part of, and the winner will receive some very exciting prizes.

My daughter Alice-Sara is a huge Ice Age fan and was really excited to get involved. All she had to do was film make a short review of the trailer and tell us why she would like to be chosen as the Official ODEON Junior Reviewer for Ice Age 4.

We would then need to upload her video onto YouTube and post it and then get as many friends and family as we can to view the video.

The top five videos will be shortlisted based upon the number of views received, and a panel of judges will pick the overall winner.

Here’s what the winner will receive. It’s an amazing prize.

The winner will receive their own ODEON Platinum card, which gives them access to visit any ODEON cinema, anytime, with a friend, FREE for a year! In addition 4 tickets to one of the very first ODEON screenings of Ice Age 4 will be given, with the full Junior Review professionally filmed afterwards. This will then be featured on the ODEON Facebook and YouTube page, as the Official Ice Age 4 Junior Reviewer.

The winner will also be invited on an all inclusive Ice Age 4 Pirate family trip for four, to Bristol which will include:

· A two hour cruise around Bristol’s historic harbour and to add to the excitement, your child will also have the chance to steer the ship!
· 1 nights accommodation in a 4 star hotel in Bristol, including breakfast
· £100.00 towards travel and spending money
· An Ice Age 4 goodie bag

The four runners up will also receive an exciting Ice Age 4 prize.

So here it is… Please please just click and watch that’s all it takes to give my little princess this awesome opportunity is a view because the more views she gets the more chance she has of becoming an official reviewer. I think she did awesome.

We had such a great time making the video and if you checkout my YouTube channel you will find a very funny video of Alice-Sara’s very funny out-takes. She really is a star.

Flu, Campaigning, Gratitude and getting sodding old

Yes, I’ve been absent from blogging for a few days but not without good reason!

I was hit with the nastiest most evil flu bug ever! Yes, lifting my fingers was a tiresome effort let alone typing! This thing was the Daddy of all flu’s and note this woman’s had swine flu at 8 months pregnant and even that didn’t have a patch on this evilness!

As a kid, one doesn’t fully appreciate the “Benefits” of being a young “victim” to the flu… No “Need to do lists” no commitments and most significantly… No children to care for!

Oh yes… It was hell, pure hellishness in its almighty form! Surely there is nothing worse than parenting three quite demanding children between the ages of 2 and 11 one on the autism spectrum who is wanting to have in-depth conversations on his interest one minute then swearing the next, while your basically feeling like a big piece of steaming “Shit” (excuse my language but I have no nicer words for the experience). I love my kids so… much, but flu and parenting is never going to be a good mix is it? Worse still their father got washed down with the same bug the following day! The echoes of the croup type coughing episodes throughout the house must have driven the neighbours barmy while passers-by would be forgiven for thinking they were walking past an old people’s home (only one full of kids)!

I guess it didn’t help that Little man and my daughter were ill at the beginning of the week leaving no time for adult sickness to take place! The toddler… he just ran around like a child on red bull, though he was the only member of the gang consumed with energy at this point I can assure you that the older two more than made up for any lost adventures… Oh yes…

The overwhelming need to sleep was the ultimate killer, a mum fully capable of losing sleep and spending nights up with the boy’s (Yes BOYS… the toddler is still at it) but Oh my…. When sickness becomes part of the accession then I’m a zombie moaning monster

So… You can appreciate the smile upon my super pale face today, when for the first time in a week the shivers, aches, pounding head, sweating trembling and general feeling of death decided not to show up for its evil work today… No more hours spent head over toilet pan while the older two kick the crap out of each other and the toddlers gentle knocks on the bathroom door turn to great big thuds accompanied with the words “Mummy… Mummy… What you doing…?” Over and over again! God, how you take feeling well (as well as can be) for granted!

Well, I guess I’ve got some catching up to do! Let’s not forget its April tomorrow, therefore the beginning of a month-long awareness campaign for autism! Despite trying to raise awareness throughout the year, it’s still an opportunity to push that bit harder as people tend to listen a little more and take note which I guess is because more activist are out there putting the word about, just look at last year… we even had a number of news reports and documentaries make the TV, a great thing but still we have a long road ahead before ignorance is reduced at an even greater level and importantly more awareness is raised amongst the public and those in authority… schools, LEAs… social services, the list is endless! Why is it more important more now than ever before but likely to be more important tomorrow than what it is today? The Statistics, increasing numbers of children and adults receiving a diagnosis every single day!

That’s why on the 2nd of April, this World Autism Awareness day I’ll be “Doing it for world autism” and with some great bloggers getting involved in the action I’m more confident about the whole idea, with a bit more pushing can I possibly pull it off? Haven’t a clue what I’m banging on about? Click here and discover how myself and others are planing to raise awareness on the 2nd of April, feel inspired and leave me a comment to let me know your up for it too… you don’t even need to write a blog! Yes, myself and thousands of other families could truly benefit from a smudge of your time this World autism day.

Another challenge I’ve set my self is to take part in the April health blogging challenge! 30 prompts, 30 days, 30 post… goodness let’s hope that flu stays at bay!

On a massive high note, I’ve discovered some of you lovely lot nominated me for “Brilliance in Blogging” (BIB) award hosted by Britmums (without none of my begging too)! As a result I’m actually shortlisted in not one but two Categories, Change and inspiring! WOW, there are some amazing bloggers on that shortlist and I feel privileged to be there! Whoever felt me worthy of a nomination, Thank you… YOU’RE TOTALLY AWESOME!

Now I wont spoil it by pleading for you to now vote for me but I’ll include the badge regardless, well it would be totally rude not too! 🙂

On top of all this it’s the Easter holidays which means no school for 2 weeks… with this I’m feeling that there maybe some crafty play and a serious need to carefully construct a plan of action for some day-trips. Maybe I’ll even share a post on any autism friendly finds I may discover during the Easter break, watch this space!

And lastly Good Friday is my big 30, Yes sadly I’m leaving my twenties kicking and screaming and in true Claire-Louise Birthday fashion I’ll celebrate this milestone by not only getting my heels and lipstick on while drinking cocktails throughout the night… yer right… But I’ll also be hosting a 30th birthday giveaway… So… you can raise a glass and toast the wrinkles with me!

Related articles

• Help Me Reveal The Bigger Picture This World Autism Day (aspergersinfo.wordpress.com)
• Never fulfilling the criteria (aspergersinfo.wordpress.com)
• Go blue for World Autism Awareness Day (mnn.com)
• Lego Build for World Autism Awareness Day (wired.com)
• Autism: in our own words – ABC Online (drugstoresource.wordpress.com)

This ones for you Little man

 There was lip gloss, cleavage and killer heels. Fancy frocks, satin bags and the odd freshly pressed suit! Soho didn’t know what hit it when the mummy bloggers and one or two daddy bloggers, came to town!

 The occasion? Why, the Mad blog awards of course!

 The theme was “GLAM” and Glam it was! There was some serious hot dresses on display with shoes you longed to adopt and take home as your own.

 I spent much of Friday afternoon in the salon, where my long locks were chopped and replaced with a shorter but nicer restyle.

Then It was a mad dash to the beautiful Radisson  Edwardian Kenilworth hotel in London’s west end. It was here, I got ready for the long-awaited big night ahead. Jeans and a tee were swapped  for a floor sweeping, black satin grown, black stilettos and sparkly, shimmering makeup. With a generous spray of Jean Paul Gaultier & little black clutch in hand, I was all set!

 On arrival at the Talk Talk experience centre Soho, I was greeted by a photographer who took a couple of full length pictures before allowing me to scramble off reaching for a glass of white. It was clear on arrival that Sally and the sponsors had gone all out to create an amazing event for us bloggers.

 I met some awesome bloggers, one’s I had met before but overjoyed to meet again, others I knew from online and had wanted to meet for ages and some I was yet to discover. The atmosphere was electric, and as the wine bottles emptied the laughter grew stronger. With each award came a spectrum of reactions and emotions. There were tears, laughter, gasps & roars of applause.

 When the little gold envelope was opened and I heard the words “A boy with Aspergers” my  tummy became a flutter of butterflies and my eyes watered every so very slightly. Yes, stood there with my little glass award in one hand, a microphone in the other, all I could say was

“OMG I’VE WON”

which was followed by a muttered ,

“I don’t know what to say but thank you”

Yes, the word “Thank You” was repeated several times before I scooted off.

Louise (@bobbity666) left, Me & my lovely award centre, Jenny (@Edspire)

No, of course I hadn’t  prepared a speech, that meant I had considered myself a winner. I didn’t even want to think along that line, So with no speech I stood like a donut . There was so many things I wanted to say, they were buried in my head unable to flow out. Nonetheless I would like to think there’s a way to make up for my lack of spoken words by doing what I do best…. Sharing my thoughts and emotions through my writing!

 So, without further delay, here’s what I should have said on collection of my award for the Most inspiring blogger!

 Huge thank you to all that nominated and voted for me to win, those in cyberspace as well as my lovely family and friends You lot are truly amazing, please go about your day today knowing you made this mum and blogger smile a massive smile.

 Sally Whittle (@swhittle) I just can’t thank you enough! Not just for Friday night but the whole experience, it’s just been amazing for me! From the day I discovered I was nominated to the night I collected my winning award I’ve just had such a ball. Yourself with the help of Jen, Parentdish, Talk-Talk and all the other Mad sponsors, made me and so many others feel really special, thank you to you all for making this brilliant event possible.

The lovely Sally Whittle who made it all happen.

  Special thanks to Mothercare, the sponsor of my winning category, “Most Inspiring blogger”

 Sending a big thank you to TK Maxx, Helen (@HelenGunter) & Polly (@p_hibb) for the beautiful dress, shoes and accessories that were perfect for me and helped me to feel comfortable and confident on the night!

 Thanks to my fellow finalist, who helped create an amazing reading list, I’ve uncovered so many great blogs to read. An extra special thank you to the finalist in my category “Most Inspiring” who have all been so lovely to me, your all incredible  and I will continue to read you’re inspiring blogs.

Kylie (@kykaree) it was lovely to see you again, you looked ravishing.

 Massive Thank you to my personal sponsor OptiBac Probiotics, ( who have not only given me support and encouragement but introduced my family to their fantastic products that have been of great benefit to all, but exceptional for my son who has Asperger’s syndrome. lastly thank you OptiBac for covering my hotel expenses at the fabulous Radisson Edwardian hotel, avoiding a half cut merry mum, night busing it through London (don’t think the children would have appreciated waking to a half-drunken mum on the sofa) so thank you.

An added thank you to Soyraya who is part of the OptiBac team and is just the loveliest person you can ever wish to work with when working with a brand.

 Lastly ( Yes, I know! Bet you’re glad I was speechless on the night, anyone would thing I’d won an Oscar) nonetheless I have to thank my three beautiful Children, especially Little Man (aka A boy with aspergers) for giving me the inspiration to write and share our story, the highs and the heartbreaking lows that have brought us to where we are now (a much better place).

Little Man (aka A boy with Aspergers)

“This Little man, this one’s for you! Happy 11th Birthday!”

 As for the “Blogger of the year” I didn’t win this, So don’t panic, I’m not about to reel of any more speeches,  though I would like to congratulate Anna Ranson (@imaginationTree) who was crowned the Mad blogger of the year for her fabulous blog, “The Imagination Tree”

 Well, done

(No hard feelings, that is unless I see you walking the streets alone 🙂 Don’t panic, It’s just a joke)

 I was also super pleased for Lisa (@MummyWhisperer) and Ruth, (@geekmummy) not only where they dressed by TK Maxx meaning I got to meet them during the run up to the awards, they are also fellow winners.

Lisa (Mummy Whisper) Sally Whittle

Ruth (Geek Mummy) collecting her award.

Huge Congratulations girls.

  A highlight to this already wonderful evening was  meeting the lovely Karen (@allaboutheboys). Gosh, Karen had the most stunning shoes, she has taste that’s for sure! Also the lovely Jenny (better known on twitter as @edspire) a real gem with great dress sense. These are two ladies who are genuinely really lovely both on and off-line!

 There are many others I had the pleasure to chat with, far to many to name.

 The rest of the night went by in a haze of excitement and alcohol, after an eventful taxi ride back to the hotel (long story) and a quick change of clothes I headed to a local bar in Covent Garden with these awesome lot, @SuperAmazingMum who was live blogging  (We finally met 3rd time lucky), @michelletwinmum (who had the best eye makeup by far), @seasiderclare (really sweet and friendly),@alforalenyna (who made me laugh so much I almost passed urine) and last but not least @bobbity666 who with Jenny I spent most the evening with and would love to meet again.

Michelle (@michelletwinmum), Clare (@seasiderclare)  (@alforalenyna)

Michelle, Louise (bobbity666)

The very lovely Super amazing mum (Live blogger) we finally meet &  so worth the wait

We had a lush few bottles of wine that we all sat and drunk into the small hours of Saturday morning, before heading for some over priced but yummy fast food (in an alcohol intoxicated kind of way) before walking back to the hotel and parting.

 As I lay on my massive double bed with luxurious velvet throw I drifted of to sleep dreaming about the full English that would greet me in a few hours time, only that didn’t go to plan!

 Waking up with a maid looking over me at 11.35 am was so not the plan!

“Oh no you sleep to late, you must check out”

For a moment I stared at her

“Who the hell are you and where the f*** am I?”

Was what first thought that came to mind, before  it hit me! I suddenly found myself doing things in fast forward (Benny Hill style) jumping up throwing belongings into bags, cat licking instead of showering and getting out of there looking rough, slightly hung over and gutted about my breakie, yet excited about seeing the kids and giving a (Not so little Man) a Happy birthday kiss.

 So, there it is! I mingled, drank, scared a maid with my sticking up Barnet and panda eyes and WON myself a Mad blog 

Not bad for one night ha?

 To see the full list of winners click HERE