With her quaint English charm, obvious love of tea and sweet tales of motherhood, Catherine captivated me instantly.
Seriously. Visiting Cup of Tea and a Blog is like spending a sunny morning sipping tea while nibbling scones in a pretty English garden.
Then, I met Catherine at Blogopolis and she is just as warm and friendly in the real life.
It only made sense to appoint her as the next FYBF Featured Flogger.
(Don’t forget to also catch her over on Twitter and Facebook).
So sit back (preferably with a cup of tea) and enjoy a giggle or three…
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The Mummy Olympics
First class athletes from around the globe have gathered in London for the 30th Modern Olympic Games. Events are many and varied raging from Archery to Wrestling with a whole lot in-between. But they’re missing something! An event as old as womankind! A game practiced by mothers throughout history! I am of course referring to… The Toddler Chase…
Any mother who has ‘lost’ her child in a public place will be familiar with ‘The Toddler Chase’! There you are, enjoying a sunny day in the park, you push your baby on the swing whilst keeping a close eye on your toddler who is exploring the playground. You think ‘It’s ok! The gate is locked… it’s safe…’
Click! The gate pings open, your toddler pauses for a moment to flash you a mischievous smile…
And… they’re…. Off!….
You grab baby from the swing and commence the frantic pursuit of your toddler… It’s a sprint to the finish line! You may have longer legs, but your speedy offspring has more energy… (which is ironic since they kept you up for most of the night)… but you are determined!
You keep your eyes on the prize… yelling “Stoooooooppppp!” as you leg it across the green… screaming infant under your arm… breathless (man, you really need to get more exercise) you reach out for your escapee, grabbing them by the hood of their jacket… you are victorious!
So next time you see a stressed out mummy running after her young athlete… show her some Olympic support… a friendly cheer! A round of applause!… and maybe… just maybe… she’ll bring home gold (or at least, the same number of children she left the house with).
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the linky.
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5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love.
6. Share some more comment love. It’s proven to make your wrinkles disappear…overnight. #truth
Penny says
Oh, Catherine that was awesome and yes, I was puffed after reading that! I don’t like the toddler chase beacuse it happens to me so often with the twins. Actually, that not completely correct. I like watching someone ELSE doing the toddler chase but I hate doing it myself. Watching someone else do it makes me chuckle until the twins decide they are up next.
Penny recently posted..Free Printable Koala Mask
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB says
It must be a nightmare with twins! I’m dreading the day Cerys starts walking as I know she’ll run in the opposite direction to Grace!
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..Common ground
Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos says
Oh those little buggers can run fast when they want to!
But mummy can run faster….only when I have to! 😉
Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos recently posted..Photo A Day July ~ Day 26
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB says
I think my little Grace will grow up to be an olympic sprinter! she is SO fast! x
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..Common ground
Laney @ Crash Test Mummy says
I’m forever doing the toddler chase. Like full on sprinting. I’ve learnt the trick is to pretend you’re not interested when they flash that mischievous smile and wait for them to turn their back on you while they pause for a moment to wonder why mummy isn’t taking the bait. In this moment you must pounce like a cheetah and gain valuable ground before you’re toddler realises they’re being pursued 😉
Laney @ Crash Test Mummy recently posted..Blogging on the go with iPad, Blogsy and Evernote
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB says
That is great advice Laney!! I’ll have to remember that x
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..Common ground
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset says
LOL Grace! That made me laugh out loud! Absolutely should be an olympic sport!!
I tried twice to comment on Catherine’s blog but Ithink the internets are eating my comments!
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..Thankful Thursday
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB says
Oh no! a few people have said that re commenting on my blog. Hope I haven’t got a bug x
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..Common ground
Nami says
It’s funny – I read this in my head and could hear the English accent. Er, sorry – yes, forgot – we’re the one with the accent.
This post was sweet, funny and so – so true!
Nami recently posted..The Manhood Of Hot Sauce
Kirrily says
Hehehe cute post! But….. so NOT cute (the runaway).
Kirrily recently posted..Guest post: Natalie’s story – Part 1
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB says
Unfortunately I’m writing from expeience – my little G is a bit of a bolter and has had me doing the ‘toddler chase’ in parks, shopping malls and once across target in my undies (as she bolted from the changing room while I was trying on jeans!)
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..Common ground
Ai Sakura says
Or maybe instead of just cheering we shld help to catch the little bugger too :p
Ai Sakura recently posted..10 Things to Tell Your Kids about MISTAKES
carmen says
YES! The wonderful Catherine! *Bows* So glad it is your turn! 😀
Loving those atheletics… no wonder we are so exhausted at the end of the day! xxXOoo
carmen recently posted..I must be getting old…
Cathy says
Lol the toddler chase is such a classic! You’ve made my day! Who knew I was an Olmpic champion and veteran toddler chaser?! 🙂
Cathy recently posted..New Beginnings (Explained)
Cathy says
Oh, and I’m a big fan of Catherine’s blog! Great choice for your featured blogger!
Cathy recently posted..New Beginnings (Explained)
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB says
Thanks Cathy! I’m a big fan of your blog too x
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..The Mummy Olympics – A Guest Post!
Karen says
Oh man I so know this is going to be me very soon. He’s already quick as a whip and almost running at 11months old. Eeek.
Karen recently posted..Walking is Good for my Soul
Carli says
My three year old does this in the clothing department of large retailers and trying to find a toddler amongst the shirts is hell 😉
Carli recently posted..Is blogging making you fat?
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB says
G does that too – she recently bolted from the changing room and I had to do the ‘toddler chase’ in my undies!
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..Common ground
kelli says
I know many who had olympian toddlers, thankful neither of mine were though.
kelli recently posted..I’m glad it is Friday
Jess says
I love Catherine.
In fact I read in one of her posts someone called her Crodie, and I feel like I know her well enough to call her that now, but I don’t cause that might be weird.
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB says
Jess you can totally call me Crodie! I’d love that 🙂
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..Common ground
The Flying Drunken Monkey says
My one thankfully isn’t much of a runaway but my niece… boy can she run!!! Loved this 🙂
My link isn’t from this week but I forgot last week and I had a great post to share! Hope that’s ok.
The Flying Drunken Monkey recently posted..This Week’s Cleaning Zone ★ Downstairs
Happylan says
My little girl is 21 months and has me in training. She’s so fast. By the time she is 3 I should be in line for the Gold medal I think. 🙂
Happylan recently posted..Grateful
Emily says
Haha, great post! Fantastic choice of featured blogger, Grace.
And I’ll do better than cheering. I’ll try to block the scene to send the toddler running back towards mum.
Emily recently posted..Australia Post staff start work early
Kim-Marie says
Great Flogger choice, Grace and fabulous post, Catherine!
I didn’t have the baby tucked under the other arm but I definitely had the cheeky monkey who could run very fast and escape. My baby walked around the furniture when he was 7 months, independently at 9 months and by 10 months he was running. So my baby was a toddler when he was a baby. Confusing, isn’t it!
Kim-Marie recently posted..How to Brush Your Teeth Properly
Kylez...aka...Mrs. P says
Oh man, something to look forward to! My little munchkin is only 8 months and she already has me chasing her all over the place so I dread to think what it will be like when she can actually walk! Better start training now! Loved this post! Happy Friday!
Gabriella says
She must be such a cool women! I really would like to get to know her, she must be so inspirational! I have just checked her blog, there are really cool stuff inside!
Gabriella recently posted..Segeln am Neusiedler See
Bachelormum says
Very cute grace. I’m no longer chasing my daughter, instead it’s verbal Olympics, her often arguing my decisions and I having to bat them back with a more clever (and wise) answer – a bit like badminton. Then there is wrestling her to bed … Greco roman wrestling, and racing her to school – marathon with a quick 100m sprint before the bell rings.
Bachelormum recently posted..World’s worst school lunch 2
Leanne (Boyz Germs) says
I love that you wrote that a mummy should get a gold medal for coming home with the same number of children she left the house with! Thank god, I only have two – otherwise I would be in all sorts of trouble. 🙂
Great post, Catherine and very timely too!
Leanne (Boyz Germs) recently posted..10 Reasons My First Day Sucked
Jane @ Adventures of Java Jane says
I Love Catherine’s blog.. discovered her on FYBF… she has it spot on with the toddler chasing… I still have to do “the Chase” from time to time and it seriously is an endurance race some days and a mad dash others!! Gold medal deserving all the same!
Love her blog and the fact she is from England and drinks lots of tea.. I seriously have turned patriotic to the home of the Olympics.. scooping up anything British in sight.. how can you not.. its so beautiful!!! xxx
Jane @ Adventures of Java Jane recently posted..The joy, oh the joy – A happy reunion
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB says
Thank you Jane! I love your blog too. How great is FYBF for finding cool new blogs to read?! x
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..The Mummy Olympics – A Guest Post!
Naomi says
I also love Catherine’s blog and your blog and link ups Grace 🙂
Naomi recently posted..Flex Don’t Text: The Six Best iPhone Fitness Apps
Pink Ronnie says
LOL, Catherine, your post made me laugh! Love the idea of a mummy bringing home gold – the same number of children she left the house with. 🙂
Ronnie xo
Pink Ronnie recently posted..It’s not funny, Jamie.
Adina says
She must be such a cool women! I really would like to get to know her, she must be so inspirational! I have just checked her blog, there are really cool stuff inside!
Adina recently posted..Sommer-Trend: Römer-Sandale
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