• mindfulness - parenting - sewing

    Monday happy list – week 85

    It’s been such a busy week but as usual I’m happy to sit down and share the 5 things that have made me happy in the last 7 days. I started the week by buying a new car. It’s only my third ever car but definitely a step up from old, much-loved one. My new-to-me car has a (working!) radio, two sun roofs and central locking. I’m still getting used to it but it feels so good to have a decent car. I’ve made a real effort to catch up on some sewing projects this week which has been lovely.…

  • Friends of Sylvanian Families - parenting - playing - toy review

    Small world play with Sylvanian Families

    Whenever I pop into my 4 year old’s nursery they always say how much she loves small world play. In fact she loves it so much they make a point of showing her other activities to make sure she gets the right balance of play. At home her favourite small world toys are her Sylvanian Families and she now has the most amazing collection. She has a range of buildings but she can often be found with the animals and their accessories. The recent warm weather has been perfect for small world play outside. We’ve been taking our Sylvanian Families outside…

  • family - parenting - toy review

    TweetABeat with Bratz Remix

    I have two children who love music. We always have music streaming in one room or another or in the car, and the children are able to pick the music they want to listen to as they go to sleep at night. We all use one streaming system in the house which means the children have access to our musical tastes, and vice versa! So when we were asked if we wanted to take part in the new Bratz campaign it was an easy decision. My little 4 year old loves singing and I often hear her humming away when…

  • family - parenting

    Make, read and do with Clangers magazine

    A magical new magazine is out and it’s home to some very special inhabitants. Clangers Magazine is a place for children to discover, wonder, play and explore. It’s jam-packed with over 30 Clanger things to read, make and do, along with a special space sticker section, Clanger Club and regular features such as ‘I spy in space’ as well as two stories. It’s an intergalactic learning journey where the reader helps the Clangers to solve their latest problem and it’s sure to capture the imaginations of those children who wonder, “What is out there…?”. The first issue of the new…

  • family - parenting - playing - toy review - UKMums.TV Preferred Blogger

    Farm life small world play with Schleich

    I know I keep going on about the weather but it’s been warm, and sunny, which means the children can play outside more! They love playing outside and our tuff spot is one thing which really facilitates outdoor play. Farm life small world play with Schleich We were sent some of the new sets from the Farm Life range from Schleich to review. As soon as my children saw the packaging they were really excited as they love Schleich toys. The two sets were: Stable cleaning kit with calf and lamb (41422) Every morning, the farmer gets up early to…

  • book review - family - mindfulness - parenting

    Monday Happy List – week 82

    Last week I had a job interview. It felt good to put some nice clothes on and talk about my career pre-children. Unfortunately I didn’t get the job but the interview experience was really useful so I’m feeling positive about getting a job soon. With my youngest starting Reception in September I really feel like it is time to get my working life back on track. I love this time of year. The sun actually has some heat to it and I’ve been wearing sandals 🙂 The children have been enjoying the longer days and have both been in shorts…

  • days out - Local Review - London - museum - parenting

    Clangers, Bagpuss and Co at the Museum of Childhood

    My 6 year old adores The Clangers and I have pretty fond memories of them from my own childhood. So when I heard the Clangers were coming to the Museum of Childhood I knew we would have to go. Yesterday we packed our own little Clangers and headed off to the Underground. The Museum of Childhood is a lovely place to visit. It’s in an historic building and there is lots of room to explore the exhibits and displays. The Clangers, Bagpuss & Co. display is just inside the entrance of the museum and consists of display cases, a place…

  • family - parenting - playing - toy review - UKMums.TV Preferred Blogger

    Schleich’s Wild Life range

    There are some toys that my children return to again and again and these are their Schleich toys. Schleich make great quality figurines and accessories which are perfect for imaginative play. Each item is very detailed and hand painted. We received some of the new animals and accessory sets from Schleich’s Wild Life range, which are suitable for pre-school children: The Shark Set, contains three of the most dangerous sharks:  the blue shark, the tiger shark and the white shark. This set compliments the Schleich Ocean figurines set we have and has been well played with in our tuff spot. They are…

  • mindfulness - parenting

    Monday happy list – week 81

    I was really happy that my choir started again last week, I missed it over the holidays. This term we’re singing a concert arrangement of My Fair Lady based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. The book and lyrics are by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe and it’s fun learning something new. It also makes me want to watch the film and Pretty Woman too! I’ve started the Minimalsim Game with my sister. Our house is in desperate need of decluttering and this is a fun way to do it. I wrote a little more about it on…