• embroidered holding hands hoop
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy Things {Week 380}

    January 24, 2022 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. It’s a post I always love to write. Monday Happy Things {Week 380} I have lots of leftover mincemeat (still!) so made some mince pie shortbread last week. It tasted amazing and didn’t last long. I’m tempted to make more. Over the weekend we went over to Walthamstow to visit God’s Own Junkyard which…

  • God's Own Junkyard, Walthamstow
    days out - Local Review - London

    A trip to God’s Own Junkyard, Walthamstow

    January 23, 2022 - By 

    This year we started a family bucket list – a list of things we want to try and do or visit. Time goes so quickly that we thought this would help us focus on making some happy memories as a family. With a clear day we decided to tick off a trip to God’s Own Junkyard, Walthamstow. A trip to God’s Own Junkyard, Walthamstow God’s Own Junkyard is a really quirky place, a funky art store/cafe and bar featuring colourful neon and lightbulb signs and other eclectic pieces. Apparently not only is it home to the oldest signmakers in London,…

  • Valentine STEM skittles experiment for kids
    STEM activity - Valentines Day crafts

    Valentine STEM skittles experiment for kids

    January 22, 2022 - By 

    My daughter loves experimenting with Skittles and we had fun experimenting with the classic Skittles experiment, and adapting it for a little Halloween science, Christmas science and New Year STEM fun. We thought it would work just as well for Valentine’s Day so designed this Valentine’s Day Skittles experiment for kids, perfect for a little STEM exploration at home. Valentine STEM skittles experiment for kids You don’t need much equipment. Just a big bag of Skittles, a white plate, and a jug of cold water. You could also find a timer if you want to record how quickly the colour changes. The first…

  • Win a copy of Wolf Girl by Jo Loring-Fisher
    competition

    Win a copy of Wolf Girl by Jo Loring-Fisher

    January 21, 2022 - By 

    I love reading with my kids and discovering new children’s authors. We were recently introduced to Wolf Girl by Jo Loring-Fisher. Read on for your chance to win a copy. Wolf Girl by Jo Loring-Fisher When Sophy tries to fit in at school, everyone laughs and whispers behind her back. And then one day, something extraordinary happens … she is whisked away to a snowy land and meets a wolf and her cub! They have the best time together, rolling around and howling in the snow. Sophy has finally found friends and nothing can ruin her day … until a…

  • Exploring Runnymede, the home of the Magna Carta
    days out - Surrey

    Exploring Runnymede, the home of the Magna Carta

    January 19, 2022 - By 

    It feels like a while since we went out for the day. General Christmas busy-ness and then trying to ward off the January blues, we decided it was time to go a little further afield. However, where to go? It almost felt like we closed our eyes and placed a finger on a map, ending up with Runnymede. This ticked the box for just 30 minutes drive away, and owned by the National Trust. Exploring Runnymede, the home of the Magna Carta We’ve been to Windsor a few times lately. It is near where we live and great for shopping…

  • The Jurors, Magna Carta at Runnymede
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy Things {Week 379}

    January 17, 2022 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. It’s a post I always love to write. Monday Happy Things {Week 379} Last week I finished reading Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. It was a bit of a slow burner for me but then it totally gripped me and I read it whenever I got the chance. I’m already on to my next book,…

  • The MOT Guide – How Roadworthy are You?
    Family Life

    The MOT Guide – How Roadworthy are You?

    January 14, 2022 - By 

    The MOT test was introduced in 1960, when traffic was increasing exponentially year on year, and many vehicles on the road were in poor condition: belching thick black exhaust fumes and interfering with visibility, breaking down unexpectedly, and not having functional brake lights to warn drivers following that they are slowing down or stopping. The very first MOT was optional and aimed at vehicles over ten years old: and more than half of the vehicles tested failed the fairly rudimentary check, which looked only at the vehicles, brakes, steering and lights. The MOT Guide – How Roadworthy are You? The…

  • {free printable} Chinese New Year Colour by Number
    Chinese New Year crafts - free printables

    {free printable} Chinese New Year Colour by Number activity

    January 12, 2022 - By 

    I’m so excited that we have a whole new year laid in front of us. There are so many fun days coming up which equals crafting opportunities! First of all we have Chinese New Year Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year, the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar, which is celebrated on Tuesday 1st February. The year 2022 is the Year of The Tiger. Chinese New Year Colour by Number activity Why not print these free Chinese New Year colouring sheets for kids, perfect for a splash of colour and…

  • embroidered gingerbread house
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy Things {Week 378}

    January 10, 2022 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. It’s a post I always love to write. Monday Happy Things {Week 378} We started our week with a trip to Christmas at Kew at Kew Gardens. Our trip last year was cancelled due to the pandemic and we were really excited to make it this year. The lights were amazing and we spent…