Six years

Today is our anniversary. Six years to the day. The day where we awkwardly sat on my university bed and I said: "So. Um. Are we like...together?" And he said: "Um. I hope so?"

A month later, I love yous were said.

Two months later, the first holiday was had.

Six months later, I moved into his student house, and lived with three other blokes. 

A year later, we found our our own student house together.

Two years later, we graduated, moved in with my parents, and then rented our first flat.

Three years later, we bought our first house and adopted a dog named Max.

Four years later, we found out we were having a baby. 

Five years later, on 12th June 2012 at 12:22pm, he was born and we fell in love with our little boy, all 8lb 6oz of him. And we named him William.

Five and a half years later, we moved back to the village where I was raised, bought a bigger home, a family home.

Six years later, we're here and now. We haven't booked our anniversary off this year, like we used to, because life is no longer carefree. We don't go on nights out much anymore, as we don't have the time. We work hard and we rarely have time for ourselves. But he's the person I go to first, every time. He's the person I steal the duvet covers from at night. He's the person who makes me laugh until I'm worried I might wee. He's also the person I want to lamp with a shoe as he annoys me that much. He's the father of my boy. And he gives me goosebumps - both out of love and fury. He's not perfect, but he's mine.

And, if you know the song Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man of Mine, you'll know what I mean.

So, six years? That's a lot. And we haven't killed each other yet.

Neal & Wolf

I’ve always been one of those people who just changes their hair. I have dyed it countless colours, I’ve had it cut short, I’ve had a fringe (or bangs – love that term) and I’m currently rocking the longest hair I’ve ever had, teamed with a side fringe in desperate need of a trim.

My biggest problem, after years of colour abuse, particularly my ombré, is that I have dehydrated ends and a bit of an oily scalp. This means that clarifying products wreak havoc on my dry ends, and moisturising products make me look like a member of the T-Birds, which, unless I’m Danny Zuko, is not a good look. I also have fine hair that runs the risk of getting a little flat at times too. And I want to look nice - I don't want someone to label me a grotty mum. I hate the thought of people putting me in that category! Conundrum.

So when I was asked if I’d like to try some Neal & Wolf products, I asked for some genuine advice and the team suggested three products that they thought would help. So for the past two weeks I’ve been trialling the Neal & Wolf Ritual Daily Cleansing Shampoo (£10.95), Harmony Intensive Care Treatment (£12.95) and the Elevate Volumising Lotion (£11.95).

First things first, these products smell amazing. Upon first whiff, it reminds me of baby powder (which I obviously love) but as you lather up, it becomes more musky and it reminds me of a real salon scent.

The shampoo for me is probably my most favourite product – it leaves my hair feeling so clean and light and I noticed that, in between washes, it was a lot less lanky and, let’s be honest, greasy that it usually would be. I wash my hair every other day – if you were wondering.

The conditioner is so light that, I must admit, on first use I doubted it would do much to my frazzled ends. While it wasn’t think and rich, like you would expect from a conditioning treatment, it left my ends looking really smooth and shiny. Because of its light texture and thinner consistency, it also meant that my hair wasn’t weighed down or clogged up by product.

The volumising lotion is a bizarre one, as initially I applied through damp hair and couldn’t really feel anything, as you would with most hair products. It wasn’t sticky or cloying and my hair didn’t feel different because of it, so I was doubtful of how well it would work on my long, fine hair. The verdict? It gave me really ‘natural’ volume. It almost felt like my hair had changed and I couldn’t detect the product at all. I'd happily buy this again.

While the products aren't exactly cheap, you do get what you pay for. And, if you don't wash your hair every day, you'll find they last you a while, particularly as a little goes a long way too. I will be buying again - maybe not every time I run out, but if the bank balance looks healthy, I'll be placing an order.

We went to Chester Zoo, Zoo, Zoo

On Sunday, last weekend, we piled into a car, Wilbo, Daddy, Granny, Po and I and we went to the zoo. Good, old Chester Zoo. A place I remember from my own childhood.

I, naturally, being the dork that I am, decided that we had to play 'We're Going to the Zoo' in the car. So I snuck in my incredibly cool disc set of old children's songs, which I bought while dreaming of my son as he cooked in my belly. When I was a little girl, my Gramps had a tape (yes tape!) that had songs like Jake the Peg, I Can Sing a Rainbow, King Caraticus and Puff the Magic Dragon. So I sat, watching my parents sing along, squished between my giraffe of a boyfriend and my snoring son in his car seat.

We were going to the zoo. And I was excited.

We saw Nemo. And Dory. As you do.

This fish had some serious attitude.

And this little boy saw things he had never seen before. Which, to be fair, is not hard when you aren't even one.

We joked that the sulky one on the log was my Dad. Though Ste seems to think it's me.

Frowning at the camera is standard when you have a mother like he does.

There were piggybacks to be had. And some serious male bonding. Just needed my brother there and I'd be happy.

I pretended I was a swish photographer. I'm not.

Height was measured in comparison to giraffes. William didn't quite cut it.

And really, we just had fun. So much fun. And I was reminded how special my wonderful family is. I also got to see penguins, so my day was obviously made.

*We were sent tickets as part of a review for Vistaprint. Coming soon!