Meet Charlie. A 19 year old singer, actor, comedian, and all round great guy. He's also got Cystic Fibrosis. I've known Charlie for a long time (I could embarrass him with photos but I'm not that mean!) and it's amazing to see how determined he is in becoming the greatest performer on earth - don't get big headed pal!

Cystic Fibrosis is a life limiting illness. It's not one you can catch or your body can create, it's something that you are born with. One that affects your body, specifically your lungs and digestive system, by producing really thick mucus that your body simply can't shift. There isn't a cure for cystic fibrosis. It can be maintained by different treatments and half of people with cystic fibrosis can live beyond 40 now with the treatments available.

There's not much publicity around about cystic fibrosis. In a world where there are different charities at each corner it can be hard to find your voice. Charlie has recently spent a long time in hospital recovering from some of the side effects of cystic fibrosis and realised that he wanted to do something to create awareness and raise a bit of money at the same time.




See I mentioned that Charlie is a singer and performer. Well he's created a song about cystic fibrosis that's been floating around the internet for quite a while and picking up a bit of attention. Whilst that all well and good (and he would be so pleased if you shared it on social media) he's decided he wants to do something more.

Busking! What better way to catch someones attention than a good old fashioned busking session. Charlie will be making his way up and down the country, busking in 51 different towns and cities to raise as much money and awareness as he can for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust's 51'st birthday. He's not confirmed dates and places yet, but the best thing to do is follow his facebook for up to date information.

It's hard to put into words how important it is to raise awareness for illnesses such as cystic fibrosis. I know I haven't done an amazing job, but I know that Charlie will do everyone proud. Go out and support him. I know I will!

After much complaining and nagging from Max we finally caved and let him help us put the tree up....In November!

He is so chuffed with the star he put on the tree and the gorgeous glittery baubles he piced to add to our tree this year.

Now we just have him asking every morning if Santa has arrived.

• Vivienne Westwood Saffiano Purse
  I absolutely adore this purse. The hint of blue inside and the classic logo on the front. I've been through so many purses that I think I need to invest in something that would last for longer than a year!
  
• Digby and Iona x Oliver Jeffers Penguin Necklace
  Okay. Oliver Jeffers is a love of mine. This necklace is a beautiful adult representation of his classic Lost and Found book.
  
• Mollie Makes Magazine Subscription
  I love Mollie Makes magazine. Each month I race to buy it and devour the freebie makes (unless it's crochet. I can't crochet). A subscription would be amazing as it would be like a monthly present at my door.
  
• Belle Pop! Vinyl
  Me and Scott collect these adorable figures and this will go really well with my Belle collection. I've been obsessed with Beauty and the Beast since I was little.
  
• Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
  I'm a theatre snob. I'll admit that. I've seen most things that have graced the west end and local theatres. Having said that I'm yet to see this fabulous winner so this would be a must!
  
• Nyponros Duvet
  I am in desperate need of a good quality duvet and cover. Something I can sink into after a long day and sleep well. This would be amazing as its a great classic cover. 

• 395g tin of condensed milk
• 450g Demerara sugar
• 115g butter
• 150ml milk
• Caramel flavouring (we use Dr Oetker)
• Any other toppings you fancy. Chocolate chips are always a hit in this indulgent house.
  

But for now I'll live with a mug of hot chocolate in bed with some Pretty Little Liars on the laptop.

• Card cut up into small pieces (we did ours into 4 from an A4 sheet of card)
• Paint
• Straws
• A big set of lungs.

I have been so well organised this year compared to last year! All of Max's presents are bought, hidden and his party (well day out) is planned out. Yep you can congratulate me now. So I thought I would share the presents that I've got him for his birthday.

• Lego City Advent Calendar: This comes in quite pricey but the fact his birthday falls on the 1st December means its a handy present for him! Will have to make sure he only opens one day at a time though.
  
• Raleigh Vintage bike: I picked this up second hand on facebay in MINT condition for a tenner. I'm in love with it and it comes with stabilisers too.
  
• Lego Storage Head: We are selling his Duplo to make way for Lego. This is a great storage head for all of it. And I'm a sucker for anything with a cute skull.
  
• Hape Toy Cars: These bamboo toy cars are perfect for his toy garage. Some of his cars have got a bit broken with his playing so these look pretty robust.
  
• Finding Nemo Pop! Vinyls: Some may call these collectibles but we call the common ones toys! Max loves playing with these and the Nemo ones will be a perfect addition.
  
• Day and Night Game: This game is great for thinking and co-ordination. Each page has a different design to copy and the child must do so with all the wooden pieces. 

• No technology after dinner. We found that letting him watch tv or something really over stimulated him and almost sent him off into a trance. Instead we sit him down in his room, put a couple of lamps on and play with puzzles or his kitchen.
  
• Bath time. Sometimes he doesn't have a bath in the evening. If it's been a lazy day or he's jumped in our shower it isn't worth it. We normally add a drop of lavender oil so it can calm and soothe him.
  
• Book, books book!  We can read up to 5/6/10 books before bed. We do normally stick to 3 and pick a variety. Ones that will calm him down, ones that are funny and ones that he can get involved in.
  
• Have a reward chart up. It's not one we have stickers to put on but it's one that acts as more of a checklist. It gives him those bits of independence knowing that he can say "I need to brush my teeth now". Giving him the guidance rather than the restrictions.
  
• Leave him to it. As long as he's in his room and playing quietly, we normally leave him to play with his toys. In all honesty he's like us adults. He will go to bed when he's tired. You can't force him. 

This won't work for everyone. As you know, our bed times are by no means perfect. He's just dropping off now, 30 minutes after I started writing it. But it will get there and don't feel bad if your kids don't have the perfect bedtime routine. Let's face it, neither do we.

October was the month of tantrums, late nights and slowly getting into a proper bedtime routine. It was also full of hilarious picture books. Here are our 4 favourites of this month.


There's a Dinosaur in My Bathtub - Say hello to Amelia. She has a big secret that you mustn't tell to anyone! She has a French dinosaur called Pierre living in her bathtub for the summer holidays. I know that might be hard to believe but I assure you it's true! This book is hilarious and such a great book for banishing the idea that dinosaurs and monsters are scary things.


Max and the Won't Go to Bed Show - Max is the best magician in the world and for this trick he is going to defy all odds and not go to bed! This is 100% fitting for us. Not only is our Max a magician (he does hide things everywhere) but he refuses to go to bed. We love this book as I'm pretty sure someone has been watching our family to write it!


There's a Lion in My Cornflakes - Have you ever wondered what would happen if you collected all those tokens for a free lion? Well these brothers found out that sometimes you don't always get what you expect. This book is charming and full of unexpected twists and turns showing you that even when you don't get what you want you can still make the most of it.


Oh No! - A book without any words can't be fun right? But this book has some amazing transparent pages meaning that things aren't all they seem once they turn the page. A bird sat in the safety of a tree? OH NO, the bird is in the cat's mouth. This book has Max squealing with glee at each page turn even though there are no words.

What books are you loving at the moment?