• West Kennet Long Barrow
    homestyle - mindfulness - Monday Happy List - Orla Kiely

    Monday happy things {Week 134}

    April 24, 2017 - By 

    What a difference a week makes. A week ago we stood on top of West Kennet Long Barrow in Wiltshire and enjoyed the Bank Holiday. The next day the children went back to school and I missed them and felt a bit lost at home on my own. It’s funny how quickly you get used to being surrounded by people. We spent the weekend removing the carpet from my son’s room and laying laminate down. I really hate carpet and it was down when we bought the house 4 years ago so it had to go. We also gave the room a bit…

  • competition - crafts

    Win a Pirate Colour In Top from Selfie Clothing Co.

    April 23, 2017 - By 

    This weekend my crafty 5 year old has been colouring in her clothes. I don’t normally encourage her to do this, but it’s ok, because she had a very special pirate Colour In Top from the Selfie Clothing Co., handmade in the UK. There are lots of different designs, from a Princess to a Superhero, Cowboy to Firefighter. As well as long-sleeved tops you can also choose pyjamas and gorgeous capes. Pirate Colour In Top from Selfie Clothing Co. My daughter loves dressing up and she has lots of outfits I’ve picked up for her. She loves to pretend to…

  • Paw Patrol sensory play
    parenting - playing

    Paw Patrol sensory play

    April 23, 2017 - By 

    Yesterday I noticed the children were getting a little bored and beginning to bicker. As a parent I know how important it is to let your children be bored. It’s good for thing and often they will think of something to do which is much better than I ever come up with. So I thought I would help them out a little by getting out the tuff spot. Paw Patrol sensory play The tuff spot is one of the best value things we have ever purchased. It’s great outdoors but we’ve brought it in a few times if the weather…

  • Schleich Eldrador dragon range
    parenting - playing - toy review

    Schleich Eldrador dragon range {Dragon Night Hunter}

    April 22, 2017 - By 

    The beautiful weather we were enjoying over the Easter holidays has gone so we’ve been spending more time indoors recently. The kids are desperate to play outside but have had to adapt to indoors games. April is such a changeable month and we are so ready for sunshine! Schleich Eldrador range Our Schleich collection has been out a lot and we were delighted to receive one of the Schleich Eldrador Dragons to review. We hadn’t heard of the Eldrador series before. Eldrador is the wonderful knight’s adventure in a world of fiery volcanoes, icebergs and huge castles. The range includes dragons, Griffin Knights, Dragon…

  • Odds Park Farm
    Buckinghamshire - days out - Local Review - parenting

    The perfect Spring day out {Odds Park Farm}

    April 22, 2017 - By 

    Now the weather is warming up I’m really excited to get out more at the weekend. Not that we don’t go out in winter, it’s just a lot more enjoyable when the weather is warmer. Living on the outskirts of London the countryside is at the end of the road. We’re lucky to have Odds Park Farm only 20 minutes away and in the last we’ve been for a friends birthday party as well as the Reception class school trip. The perfect Spring day out  at Odds Park Farm Odds Park Farm is a certified Rare Breeds Farm at Wooburn…

  • Sylvanian Families Cake Decorating Set
    Friends of Sylvanian Families - parenting - playing - toy review

    Sylvanian Families Cake Decorating Set

    April 21, 2017 - By 

    I think it’s pretty apt that my last post was about baking. We’re a family who loves to spend time in the kitchen and our last bake, fingerprint cookies, went down pretty well. So I knew that my 5 year old would love to review the Sylvanian Families Cake Decorating Set. Sylvanian Families Cake Decorating Set My daughter has collected Sylvanian Families for years. It’s easily one of her favourite toys and I love that she can play with the figures, the buildings, vehicles or just get everything out and cover the floor for days on end. We thought we would…

  • Simple fingerprint cookies
    baking - homestyle

    Simple fingerprint cookies {baking with kids}

    April 20, 2017 - By 

    My children love baking. I’m keen to encourage them in the kitchen but a kitchen full of cakes is not helpful when you’re following Slimming World! Anyway, my daughter has been asking to bake something for ages so we made a yummy batch of Fingerprint cookies. Simple fingerprint cookies These are really quick and simple but fun too! We measured out a simple cookie dough recipe and she helped mix it all together. When the dough was ready we left it to chill for 30 minutes in the fridge. Then I divided the dough into two and my daughter got…

  • Star Wars books for 7 year old
    book review - parenting - Star Wars crafts

    Star Wars Reads 2017

    April 20, 2017 - By 

    Now in its sixth year, Star Wars Reads, a celebration of Star Wars and reading, has returned with a month-long campaign throughout April. Last year I wrote a post about my son. The only books he would read were Star Wars related, with a few Angry Birds and Minecraft books thrown into the mix. I really thought a year later I would not be writing this post but guess what? He’s still the same. Slightly bigger perhaps but still only reading Star Wars books on his own. Together we have managed to read a few Roald Dahl books, we’ve just finished reading Matilda. And…

  • Alfie and Dad book cover
    book review - competition

    Win a copy of Alfie and Dad by Shirley Hughes

    April 19, 2017 - By 

    Have you ever read any of the Alfie books by Shirley Hughes? I remember reading them when I was younger and now my children love them too! I’m so excited to be able to share this brand new book with you – Alfie and Dad from award winning writer and illustrator Shirley Hughes. This wonderful collection of heart-warming short stories celebrates the special relationship between Alfie and his beloved Dad. Alfie and Dad by Shirley Hughes Alfie’s Dad Simon is always there for Alfie and his sister Annie Rose. He reassures Alfie during a sleepless night, he rescues favoured toy Flumbo when…