• Visiting Nunney Castle
    parenting

    Saving for a rainy day

    February 24, 2017 - By 

    With the sun shining today all thoughts of #DorisDay, which hit the UK yesterday, are long gone. We woke up to a few pieces of guttering in the garden, but thankfully no major damage. With my husband supporting us all our savings are pretty limited at the moment, which is something I can’t help but worry about. I heard a story on the news this morning that said if we saved all the money given to our children up to the age of 21 they would have enough to buy a house! Now I’m not sure if my children would…

  • Chicago Town Deep Dish #NotJustForDinner
    holiday - parenting

    Home and away {Chicago Town Deep Dish}

    February 18, 2017 - By 

    We got back from our half term adventures yesterday. We’d had a brilliant few days away and came back to a warm-ish house and a well-packed freezer. I’ve learned my lesson and now make sure to stock the freezer with bread, milk and something I know will make everyone happy for that all-important first meal back at home. Pizza is a firm family favourite so I know I can never go wrong with any of Chicago Town’s Deep Dish range. My youngest always chooses to have pizza when it’s her turn to pick dinner and we eat it at least once…

  • Returning to work and searching for childcare
    parenting

    Returning to work and searching for childcare

    February 16, 2017 - By 

    For me, half term represents a break from being Mum’s Taxi! In a normal week, as well as the twice daily school run, we have swimming lessons, karate, football, Beavers, Rainbows to get to and from. I think this is normal judging by the conversations I have with my mum friends as we pass and rush to get our children somewhere on time. I love that my children want to try new experiences and I’m happy for them to try different classes until they find things they enjoy. Last year my daughter tried ballet which she didn’t enjoy. I was…

  • BEAR Yoyos Secret Spy Adventure cards
    Happy By Nature - parenting

    For Your Eyes Only {BEAR Yoyos Secret Spy Adventure cards}

    February 10, 2017 - By 

    My children are absolutely crazy about collecting the cards inside packs of BEAR Yoyos. Luckily they get through plenty of the fruity rolls as they are the perfect healthy addition to their packed lunch or snack. They were so excited to hear that BEAR is embarking on a brand new, TOP SECRET spy adventure and that there are 65 new cards to collect! My children love dressing up and were recruited by the Department of Danger to accompany Agent BEAR and Mole on their TOP SECRET spy adventure. They received a lovely spy kit to help them save the world…

  • Apple pancake recipe
    baking - homestyle - Pancake Day crafts - parenting

    Apple pancake recipe {with Pink Lady® apples}

    February 9, 2017 - By 

    As well as being a firm favourite in lunch boxes and after school, did you know that Pink Lady® apples make the perfect filling for pancakes this Pancake Day? We’re all about embracing the seasons here at the gingerbread house blog and were delighted to receive a Pink Lady® Pancake Day kit to get a head start. I just love pancakes all year round although we try to make them extra special for Pancake Day. Today I wanted to share a delicious recipe for apple pancakes. Did you know that Pink Lady® apples are packed with goodness – they are…

  • Ronald the Rhino book from Twinkl
    parenting - Twinkl Blogger

    Twinkl’s new eBook, Ronald the Rhino

    February 5, 2017 - By 

    I love taking an interest in my children’s education and help reinforce what they are learning at school at home. I have been helping with Active Reading for the past few months, which I love, so was delighted to hear about Twinkl’s new eBook, Ronald the Rhino. Twinkl provide instant access to a complete range of award-winning teacher-created, engaging and inspiring teaching, planning and assessment materials. These are not just for teachers however, are are also great for parents, childminders and home educators. Ronald the Rhino Twinkl are always bringing out great new products and the latest is the Ronald the…

  • London Model Engineering Exhibition
    days out - London - parenting

    A family day out at the London Model Engineering Exhibition

    January 23, 2017 - By 

    On Saturday the whole family went to the London Model Engineering Exhibition at Alexandra Palace. This isn’t usually my idea of a fun day out but we used to live in the area and I was really keen to go back to re-visit some old haunts. The London Model Engineering Exhibition is in it’s 21st year and Ally Pally is a great venue for it. It’s a huge and very old entertainment complex built at the top of a hill. It houses a pub and ice rink as well as huge exhibition halls and we’ve seen Keane perform there as…

  • Winter fairy garden play activity for kids
    Fairy garden crafts - parenting - playing - Winter

    Winter fairy garden play

    January 21, 2017 - By 

    We’ve had a run of beautiful but cold days recently. These are my favourite winter days and we’ve all wanted to be outside before coming back in to warm up with a hot chocolate! Over the weekend we spent a bit of time cleaning out our mud kitchen which was looking so sad and neglected. All the pots were full of muddy, frozen water and it needed a good clean up. The children helped clear out the old pinecones and acorns we had collected and sweep away the sand and dust. We left it looking so much cleaner, all ready…

  • Lion Guard Hyena Hideout Playset
    parenting - playing - toy review

    Lion Guard Hyena Hideout Playset

    January 20, 2017 - By 

    We already have some lovely Lion Guard toys. These include the Lion Guard Collectible Figure Set and Defend the Pride Lands play set. My daughter loves these toys and they are pretty much always out. Both children love to watch The Lion Guard so were so excited to receive the Lion Guard Hyena Hideout Playset. This is a new playset from Flair and promises hours of fun to be had, recreating Lion Guard scenes from the show! Lion Guard Hyena Hideout Playset The playset may be mini but the adventures are big at this creepy Hyena Hide Out! It comes…