• Win a bundle of children's books from Stripes Publishing
    book review - competition - Family Life

    Win a bundle of children’s books from Stripes Publishing

    January 12, 2019 - By 

    I mentioned the other day that my youngest finally discovered the joy of reading over Christmas. It was if a lightbulb had switched on and she realised just how good it was to read independently. We’ve always shared books, both during the day and at bedtime, but now I find she always has her head in a book! If she can snatch an extra 5 minutes in bed with a good book then she will. It’s lovely to see, especially as her brother is like this too. I love sharing new books on my blog so am delighted to have…

  • Free Chinese New Year printable – Year of the Pig
    Family Life

    Five Happy Things {Week 222}

    January 7, 2019 - By 

    Happy Monday everyone. Hope you had a great weekend and a Happy New Year. Each week I start off by writing my Five Happy Things blog post. It’s a great chance to 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 enjoy writing. Five happy things {Week 222} We had a great week relaxing at home after Christmas and New Year. The children have been spending their Christmas money on toys and books and we have spent a lot of time at…

  • Family Life

    4 ways to take care of yourself in 2019

    January 6, 2019 - By 

    Can you believe that 2018 is over? With the advent of the new year you might be wondering where the past year has gone and what 2019 might have in store for you. But rather than spending another year chasing after people, worrying about deadlines and hoping you might get some time to hear yourself think, why not make 2019 the year that you put yourself first for a change? There’s nothing selfish about thinking about yourself and your own physical and mental priorities. So, why not consider trying these ideas in the New Year and make 2019 the year where you are number one. 4…

  • What books featured in our Book Advent in 2017
    Advent crafts - book review - Family Life

    What books featured in our Book Advent in 2017

    January 4, 2019 - By 

    I was in two minds about having a Book Advent last year. Although we had  books from the previous year I just didn’t have time to wrap them all individually. However my 7 year old wanted to know why our Christmas elves hadn’t brought the books when they arrived with the Advent calendars, so I quickly got them out so she could enjoy reading them. What is a Christmas Book Advent? The idea of a Christmas Book Advent is simple. Alongside your daily chocolate treat you can also consume something a little longer lasting – a book! We love reading and…

  • 17 new Elf on the Shelf antics from the gingerbread house blog
    Christmas - Elf on the Shelf - Family Life

    17 new Elf on the Shelf antics

    January 3, 2019 - By 

    Although I wasn’t entirely sure about bringing back our Book Advent (but I’m glad we did) I knew our two Christmas elves would be making an appearance on December 1st. We have two elves, one for each child, who bring the children’s Advent calendars and stay around to make sure they are having fun during December. This is a family Christmas tradition which we started a few years ago. In preparation for December 1st I found the Elf surveillance camera and sign, the two elves and started to plan some of the daily activities. Now I’m working it was essential…

  • felt Christmas jumper
    Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 221}

    December 31, 2018 - By 

    Happy Monday everyone. Hope you had a great weekend and a very Merry Christmas. Each week I start off by writing my Five Happy Things blog post. It’s a great chance to 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 enjoy writing. Five happy things {Week 221} Christmas Day passed in a bit of a present opening blur to be honest, as I expect it does for most parents of young children. The children had both asked for Lego sets, fortunately…

  • ikea gingerbread house
    Family Life - mindfulness - Monday Happy List

    Monday mindfulness – 5 Happy Things

    December 24, 2018 - By 

    Happy Monday everyone. Hope you had a great weekend. Each week I start off by writing my Monday mindfulness – 5 happy things blog post. It’s a great chance to 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 enjoy writing. Monday mindfulness – 5 happy things Last week was super busy with some kind of party every day. December is such a busy month for parents and I really felt like it was some kind of test to see if I…

  • Win a copy of The Not-So-New Mum's Notebook
    book review - competition - Family Life - parenting

    Win a copy of The Not-So-New Mum’s Notebook

    December 23, 2018 - By 

    I know that we haven’t even had Christmas yet but my thoughts are already turning to the New Year. I don’t go for New Year’s Resolutions at all but one thing I do want to try next year is a little bit of journalling and making more notes about my children. It’s a well known fact that children grow up far too quickly. Today I wanted to share with you something that could help you note the milestones, The Not-So-New Mum’s Notebook. The Not-So-New Mum’s Notebook The Not-So-New Mum’s Notebook is every mum’s essential companion and journal beyond the first year – whether…

  • 5 top tips for weaning millennial babies
    baby - Family Life

    5 top tips for weaning millennial babies

    December 21, 2018 - By 

    Recent research by WaterWipes has reinforced what I already knew, that millennial babies have excellent taste in food. I loved the weaning phase with my millennial babies as they were so happy to try anything. WaterWipes conducted a new survey for their campaign all about messy menus to celebrate the launch of their new product WaterWipes with SoapBerry (we reviewed the classic WaterWipes here). The research results revealed that over a fifth of millennial babies have a sophisticated palette and enjoy a variety of on-trend ‘staple’ foods including avocados, quinoa and houmous. Traditional dishes such as toad in the hole (41%) and…