• New Playmobil Ghostbusters range and Ecto-1 unboxing
    parenting - playing - Playmobil Playologist - toy review

    New Playmobil Ghostbusters range and Ecto-1 unboxing

    May 22, 2017 - By 

    I’m so happy to share with you today our review of one of the toys from the new Playmobil Ghostbusters range! Yes, we’re still Playmobil Playologists too which means we’re working with Playmobil, a top manufacturer within preschool toys, to share their latest products with you. I mentioned last year that this is Playmobil’s first entertainment brand license and they have been working together with Sony to bring these fantastic sets to life. It’s a brand collaboration we couldn’t be happier about as we love the Ghostbusters franchise. I really enjoyed the films when I was growing up. In fact the…

  • Education Quizzes for kids at home and school
    parenting - school

    Education Quizzes for kids at home and school

    May 21, 2017 - By 

    I admit to having a mini fist pump when I picked up my son from school on Friday. He had endured a week of end of KS1 assessment, otherwise known as SATs. For some reason his school decided to call they daily tests ‘quiz booklets’ to downplay their significance. Unfortunately, sitting in silence with desks apart did nothing to suggest that these were fun quiz booklets and my son resolutely called them SATs all week. I’m all for doing homework but I think a week of tests are totally un-necessary in Year 2. School should be fun and it really…

  • how to make a mud kitchen
    competition - parenting

    Summer fun in the garden {win an Olympus Pen camera}

    May 18, 2017 - By 

    With my 7 year old facing a week of SATs we’ve been making sure to have some weekends relaxing at home. He keeps mentioning all the test papers they are practicing so I know he is a little anxious about it all. He loves to be creative and use his hands so we have been making things to encourage him outside, give him something to do and totally take his mind off his SATs. Our favourite building materials are upcycled wooden pallets. They are the best resource – usually free, can be upcycled in so many ways but are strong…

  • Despicable Me collectible toys
    parenting - playing - toy review

    Despicable Me collectible toys {Despicable Me Mineez}

    May 17, 2017 - By 

    There are some great family friendly films coming out this summer and I can’t wait to see the new Despicable Me 3 film which is in cinemas next month. My children are excited because that means there will be new minions toys! And guess what? To coincide with the release of the new film next month we are excited to show you the new Despicable Me Mineez from Flair, the new range of collectible toys based on the hit movies! The team who brought you Despicable Me and the biggest animated hits of 2013 and 2015, Despicable Me 2 and Minions,…

  • PAW Patrol: Game On! DVD
    competition - film review - parenting

    Win 1 of 2 copies of the new PAW Patrol: Game On! DVD

    May 15, 2017 - By 

    My children adore Paw Patrol and were lucky to receive a copy of their latest DVD,  PAW Patrol: Game On! Yes, everyone’s favourite rescue pups are back in action in seven exciting, sports-themed adventures and rescues. This DVD contains many adventures, including Ryder and Marshall forming a basketball team to help Mayor Goodway and Everest snowboarding to make a daring rescue. There’s no denying the Pups know how to be brave and have fun! Produced by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Media Distribution and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, PAW Patrol: Game On! joins the rest of the PAW Patrol releases as…

  • Top tips for saving money during the summer holidays
    days out - parenting

    Top tips for saving money during the summer holidays

    May 11, 2017 - By 

    As much as I am enjoying May my thoughts are beginning to turn to the summer holidays. With two children in school full-time our holidays are really precious. We don’t go on huge holidays, preferring to spend a few days with grandparents in different parts of the country, and plan lots of day trips too. The downside to those wonderful 6 weeks of holidays is the cost of it all. With only one of us, working money can be tight, so I’ve been looking for ways to save money for the summer holidays. Top tips for saving money during the summer…

  • Wall's Helping Hand campaign logo
    competition - parenting

    Teaching community spirit {Wall’s Helping Hand}

    May 10, 2017 - By 

    Recently I’ve started helping every week with my son’s Beaver group. He’s been a Beaver for just over a year and he really enjoys it. The group leader is really well organised which means they have a well planned programme of events and activities which is really complements the academic stuff he learns at school. He loves to collect badges which I find are a great incentive. Since he’s been a Beaver he’s been camping, to a water activity day, horse riding, hiking, and so much more. It’s great to be part of something like this, he’s made friends in…

  • Unboxing the new Transformers The Last Knight toys from Hasbro
    Hasbro Toy Tribe - parenting - playing - toy review

    Transformers: The Last Knight {toy review}

    May 8, 2017 - By 

    At the end of last week we received a really exciting parcel from Hasbro. It contained some of the new toys released to coincide with the latest Transformers film, The Last Knight. My kids love Transformers so I was excited to see what they thought. They are a little obsessed with making videos at the moment so we made an unboxing video of the new Transformers The Last Knight toys from Hasbro. Take a look and see what my cheeky 5 and 7 year old had to say about them. Transformers: The Last Knight (also known as Transformers 5) is a new…

  • Cafe Rouge Spring menu review
    eating out - Hillingdon - Local Review - London - parenting - Ruislip

    Enjoying the new Spring menu at Cafe Rouge

    May 7, 2017 - By 

    We have a lovely Cafe Rouge on our local hight street. It’s in a beautiful old building – for some reason this always ticks all my boxes when I’m eating out – and I love to eat local. We were invited along to try the new Spring menu at Cafe Rouge so yesterday, after a day of gardening and relaxing at home, we went along to try it out for ourselves. We’ve been to Cafe Rouge quite a few times now. It’s our go-to place when we have family and friends round as we know there’s always something on the…