• our new entertainment centre
    Monday Happy List - parenting

    Monday Happy List – week 114

    November 28, 2016 - By 

    This time of year seems crazy busy, so it’s fitting that I barely sat down last week. Here are my 5 favourite things from the previous week – my Monday Happy List. We painted our cavernous living room cum dining room in white which has made it feel much more clean and modern. We also bought and built a huge media/entertainment unit which now houses our tv and has lots of hidden storage. We have a modern house so it suits the room perfectly. The living room feels instantly more grown up although I’m still getting used to not having…

  • personalised gifts from the Disney Store
    parenting - playing

    A magical Christmas tea party with a sprinkle of Disney magic

    November 23, 2016 - By 

    A little bit of Disney magic came to our home this week. The children were the lucky recipients of a parcel from the Disney Store, and in honour of our new visitors, we threw a Christmas Tea Party to celebrate. Our family has aways been under the magical spell of Disney and we all have our favourite characters. Us grown ups have been planning a surprise to Disneyland Paris next year so we were delighted to welcome some new friends into our home. I’m sure you know that you can buy plush versions of your favourite Disney characters, but did…

  • Brainboost Box activity box for kids
    parenting - subscription box

    Brainboost Box activity box for kids

    November 10, 2016 - By 

    Over the last few weeks the children have been reviewing a Brainboost Box, this is a monthly educational activity box for kids. Brainboost know successful children aren’t just good at Maths and English, they are also Emotionally Intelligent, Creative thinkers, and great Communicators. Brainboost Boxes develop these core skills and more with fun new activities each month delivered to your door, along with all the resources you need to play. Created by Dr Maryhan Baker, every box is full of hand picked activities, tailored to your child’s age and stage of development. The children love receiving mail so were delighted when the Postman…

  • cooking - eating - parenting

    Teaching Your Kids to Cook: Chinese Food

    November 3, 2016 - By 

    One of the best lessons my mum and grandmother ever taught me was how to cook.  Granted, my favourite dishes were not complicated (and not healthy to be honest) but learning to cook has not only been a skill I’ve used ever since, it also led me to develop an interest in cooking and food that has turned into something of a hobby. Plus, knowing how to cook has saved me a lot of money versus eating out, as well as given me a great deal of confidence when it comes to having friends over for dinner or a casual…

  • Hot Wheels Track Builder System Stunt Kit
    parenting - playing - STEM activity - toy review

    Hot Wheels Track Builder System Stunt Kit

    November 3, 2016 - By 

    Towards the end of half term we received the Hot Wheels Track Builder System Stunt Kit to review. Both my children love playing with cars, especially my 6 year old son. Hot Wheels Track Builder System Stunt Kit Test your skills or challenge your friends in the ultimate test of stunts and timing! Experiment with how high you can go, how far you can jump, and how well you can aim to avoid a crash! Create and re-create the Trick Builder world with this impressive set that offers multiple configurations for a variety of ways to play and nearly endless…

  • #ClangersForKindness
    competition - parenting

    Win a bundle of Clangers toys {#ClangersForKindness}

    November 3, 2016 - By 

    My children have always enjoyed watching the Clangers, just as I did when I was little. I think the message behind the show is a very important for little ones to learn – how we should spread kindness every day, just like the Clangers do on the little blue planet. Kindness is one of those things which I’ve tried to instil in my children. But just how do you encourage your child to practice kindness? Take a look at this video to see what the kids thought about kindness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51lbddJMo7o I know my kids are kind-hearted, in fact we often laugh…

  • Pumpkin carving at Hughenden Manor
    Buckinghamshire - days out - Local Review - National Trust - parenting

    Pumpkin carving at Hughenden Manor

    October 29, 2016 - By 

    I’m so pleased we were able to squeeze in a trip to do some pumpkin carving at Hughenden Manor today. It was a great way to round off a very exciting half term. It’s also one of my favourite National Trust properties. Hughenden Manor was the home of Benjamin Disraeli, once Prime Minister, but also had an important role during the Second World War. Today you can visit part of the house, gardens, and extensive grounds. They also run some really fun events for families. Last year we went along to one of their Apple Days, this time we wanted…

  • Star Wars Force Lightning Energy Ball
    parenting - playing - toy review - UKMums.TV Preferred Blogger

    Star Wars Force Lightning Energy Ball {Uncle Milton Star Wars Science}

    October 28, 2016 - By 

    My 6 year old practically eats, sleeps and plays Star War. He is very excited about the release of Rogue One in December and has already started collecting the Rogue One trading cards. He loves anything Star Wars so I knew he would be intrigued by the Star Wars Force Lightning Energy Ball. Star Wars Force Lightning Energy Ball Harness the power of Force Lightning like Yoda and The Empire. Touch the Energy Ball and see pulses of real plasma energy stream directly towards your fingertips. Move light energy with your hands just like a Sith Lord. The energy ball is…

  • TNMT: Out of the Shadows DVD Cover
    competition - days out - London - parenting

    TNMT: Out of the Shadows skateboarding masterclass and DVD giveaway

    October 25, 2016 - By 

    Yesterday we were invited to KidZania London for a turtely awesome skateboarding masterclass to celebrate the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. My children love visiting Kidzania and I knew this would be a fun start to their half term week. My 6 year old loves his mini-skateboard so I knew he would love the opportunity to learn some moves from the professionals at Camp Rubicon. KidZania was the perfect location for the masterclass and as soon as we arrived we were taken to the Stadium and the children were kitted out with knee pads, elbow pads…