A Tale Of Two Hernias....

I should warn you this post has photo's of my hernia. I'm fully dressed, but it's not pretty...

I started having babies 21 years ago, and after no.1 baby I was left with a gap between my stomach muscles which allows everything through to form a ridge between my boobs and belly button when I raise my head if I'm lying down. I was young and naive, and I just believed that was what happened to every new Mum. I was blissfully ignorant until after no.5 baby when a new lump appeared beside my belly button. I noticed that I had a pencil sized hole, which I could poke the lump into, and then actually my finger. I realised this must be a hernia, and told my GP at my 6 week check.

In fact the gap left between my stomach muscles is a Diverticulation or Diastasis and shouldn't have happened, but is relatively common and not treated, but the lump by my belly button was a Paraumbilical Hernia.

Fabulous Dishrack Review!!

I thought I'd inject a little excitement into the post from the start....

Blogging, like life, isn't all about LEGO and days out. The more mundane has to happen too. Washing the pots is something we all have to do. Well, you might think it's entirely devoid of glamour, but it's just not true. I've been sent the gorgeous Extend Expandable Dishrack With Draining Plug from Joseph Joseph to try out.

Joseph Joseph are a company who really do make gorgeous kitchenwares that do the job well. Design is everything, and it's not just about how it looks, it's about how it functions too. The Extend dishrack actually incredibly handy in several ways.

The Simpson's LEGO Minifigures Series 2

The Simpsons LEGO minifigures Series 2 are due to be released to the general public on May 1st, but a friend of ours spotted them for sale at a shop somewhere in South Manchester and grabbed two sets. By the time he had sorted through, the shop had realised their error and taken them back off sale, so we were in the nick of time...

The more alert among you may be able to spot that not everything went to plan.....Our friend Brett is somewhat of an expert at blind bag feeling, so it's worth noting that Edna Krabappel and Millhouse can actually be mistaken for each other. Edna has a special place for me, so I actually don't mind too much...

Transformers Prime: Beasthunters - Battle For Darkmount Review and Toy Giveaway

The Transformers are back in a new DVD in time for May half term. Transformers Prime Beasthunters - Battle For Darkmount is released on 27th April and we've been sent a copy for a sneaky preview, plus we have some great Transformers toys to give away.

Sly Stallone in Bolton....

Yep, it's true. I knew it was true a long while ago because friends told us they had seen Sly Stallone running up and down the Town Hall steps in Bolton City Centre. I did question it "Are you sure it was him?" "Why would Sylvester Stallone be in Bolton, apparently doing a re-enactment of his own scene from Rocky?" The answer is now clear....it was Warburton's fault.

To celebrate their new star-studded (well, Sly at least) advert, Warburtons sent me a lovely hamper of goodies. 2 loaves of bread, a bakers hat, oven gloves and a t-shirt bearing the slogan "I love Bolton". We had a bit of fun with the contents. Here's our oldest lad - do not ask me how I managed to take this photograph, I still can't believe it happened (maybe the shades make up for the I Love Bolton shirt). 

A Mouse's Tale DVD Review and Giveaway

A Mouse's Tale is a new release from Lionsgate Home Entertainment for May half term this year. Featuring an host of great voice actors, including Carey Elwes and Tom Arnold, it tells the story of two little mice as they attempt to save their kingdom. We've been sent a copy to preview, and Lionsgate Home Entertainment have also offered a copy to one of my readers.

Sebastian and Samantha and their two trusty knights are on a quest to find a magic crystal which will help them overcome the evil rodents trying to take over. The story is a bit formulaic and obvious to adults, but it's also timeless and enthralls children.

A Super DC Super Hero Day!

Last weekend we took part in a Guinness World Record attempt to have the most people ever dressed as DC Super Heroes worldwide at the same time. When I was invited I thought it would be a good thing for my 2 little boys, I actually had no idea what a huge breath of fresh air it would be for us all!

As it turns out, dressing up as a Superhero DOES give you special powers. It makes you smile. I don't know if it's because you look awesome, if it's because you are someone else, or if it's because everyone else views you as someone else, but it has true magic.

LEGO Simpson's Apu's Kwik-E-Mart Review set 71016

It's been a while coming, and I've been looking forward to this since it was announced, so here is our review of LEGO set 71016 The Kwik-E-Mart. Complete with 6 minifigures, the police car and a whole array of stock, this is another huge playset from LEGO.

Bee Good Intensive Hand Cream and Vanilla & Honey Lip Balm Review

Bee Good are a UK company making products using Honey, Beeswax and Propolis (a resinous mixture that honey bees collect from tree buds and sap etc) from UK bees. I'm allergic to bee venom, but I can use the other products and Bee Good have kindly sent me their Intensive Hand Repair cream with Honey, Borage and Echium, and their Vanilla & Honey Lip Balm for review.

LEGO Marvel Avengers Age Of Ultron Giant LEGO Statue

To celebrate the release of the LEGO Marvel 'Avengers Age Of Ultron' sets, and to coincide with the film release, the UK's largest LEGO statue will be built in time for the London premiere. The build is already well underway, and here is a sneaky preview...can you guess who it is? (It's not very hard to be honest).

Scary looking pot of Kragle there....

Look at all the drawers in the background!!

Family Games Bundle Giveaway from Drumond Park

We love board games here at The Brick Castle, and today I am delighted to be able to tell you that Drumond Park have kindly offered a fabulous bundle of games as a prize for one of my readers. Added together these games would cost you over £70, and keep your family entertained all Summer if the sunshine lets us down.

Rapidough Family Game Review for Drumond Park

Our latest family game to review from Drumond Park has proven to be one of the most popular. Rapidough is great fun and fantastic to play with different generations at the same time. Recommended for children aged 8+ and 4 or more players, our 6 1/2 year old can just about hold his own and join in on a level.

8 Months After Losing Elspeth

I've taken some time off over the last few weeks to play with (wrangle and umpire) the kids, and enjoy Easter as much as was possible, and also because we had Elspeth's Inquest, and coming back to the laptop has proven harder than I suspected it would.

We knew the Inquest wouldn't be a picnic day out for the family, and I was expecting re-hearing details and statements would be hard. As it turns out it's finding out the things you didn't already know that is hardest. It gives you more to mull over, more to consider, more ways to feel you should have protected her more. More chance to remember those comments she made and wonder if you didn't take them seriously enough. More sad.

What's New in LEGO for April - including LEGO Dimensions and win a Gold Bionicle Mask!

Over Easter there were a few announcements in the land of LEGO.  We have the LEGO Mixels series 4 challenge, the LEGO Bionicle Mask Hunt and information about the new LEGO Dimensions. Sadly not as yet the release of the Simpson's Kwik E Mart, for that we have to wait until May 1st.

LEGO sent us 3 of the LEGO Mixels series 4 and asked us to create a whole new character using the parts. That's been a couple of afternoons well spent as a family....

$100 Worldwide PayPal Giveaway

This is very different from all of my other giveaways, and not something I've entered into before, but I was contacted by the lovely Danielle from Mama The Fox blog and asked if I wanted to join her and some other bloggers for a $100 worldwide PayPal giveaway. Why not? It's Spring, and $100 (approx £66) would buy you something nice for the garden, or a treat if you are Spring cleaning and tidying up the house, or just something new to wear this Summer.

The giveaway will be paid by Paypal, so is open to anyone over 18 who has a valid Paypal account, and therefore worldwide except where prohibited by local law.