• Another trip to the graffiti tunnel at Leake Street
    Family Life - Local Review - London

    Another trip to the graffiti tunnel at Leake Street

    August 31, 2021 - By 

    A few weeks ago we found ourselves in London for the first time in ages. I miss London so much but I haven’t felt like getting on the tube with other people. However I’ve really missed everything about London so we took the chance off a day with no plans and headed into London. Our first stop was The Globe on the Southbank for a special storytelling session of Twelfth Night. I’ve wanted to take the children to The Globe for ages and the special session for children seemed perfect. Shakespeare’s plays aren’t totally accessible for children but the storytelling…

  • Summer Reading Challenge
    Monday Happy List

    Summer Holidays edit {Week 359}

    August 30, 2021 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. It’s a chance for me to sit down and 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 love to write. Summer Holidays edit {Week 359} The fifth week of our summer holidays has flown by (again). The kids spent the week at forest school and had so much fun – going on treasure hunts, building dens, exploring the woods, identifying insects and exploring the natural world…

  • Kawaii How To Draw More Cute Stuff from Around the World {book review}
    What I'm reading

    Kawaii How To Draw More Cute Stuff from Around the World {book review}

    August 29, 2021 - By 

    My kids are both of an age that they love anything kawaii. From Japanese sub boxes to a trip to the Japanese supermarket to get their favourite sweets, they embrace everything kawaii and cute. My 11 year old loves to draw and has a few books in the Kawaii: How to Draw series. He was excited to be given a preview of the latest book in the series, Kawaii How To Draw More Cute Stuff from Around the World by Angela Nguyen. Kawaii How To Draw More Cute Stuff from Around the World This fifth book in the ‘Kawaii’ series…

  • Adventures in frame loom weaving
    Crafts for adults

    Adventures in frame loom weaving

    August 27, 2021 - By 

    I think it’s fair to say that I love an embroidery hoop. I’ve been tidying up my craft space for a little Autumnal revamp and put all my finished embroidery hoops in a crate. It was surprising just how many I had, and how many more I found when I was tidying up. Adventures in frame loom weaving Recently I was gifted a gorgeous weaving set from Elka Sustainable Textiles. As much as I love embroidery I was happy to try something different. The only previous experience I had of weaving was a couple of free cover gifts with issues…

  • The Wild Before by Piers Torday
    What I'm reading

    The Wild Before by Piers Torday

    August 26, 2021 - By 

    This summer we have had plenty of time to read and play games. It’s such a lovely time and we’re a little sad at the thought of returning to the hectic school routine next week. Today we are taking part in the blog tour for The Wild Before, a stunning prequel to the bestselling and beloved The Last Wild trilogy, which explores the topical yet timeless themes of environmental awareness, friendship and hope. Torday’s award-winning storytelling – which has earned him the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and a CILIP Carnegie Medal nomination – builds an unforgettable world of classic folklore…

  • Exploding Minions from Exploding Kittens
    Family Life

    Exploding Minions from Exploding Kittens

    August 25, 2021 - By 

    Family time is important and we love any activity we can do together. Board games have always been a firm favourite and we were delighted to receive a copy of Exploding Minions from Exploding Kittens. I can’t believe it’s over 2 years since we reviewed the original Exploding Kittens which we still enjoy playing. The hit game sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Exploding Minions is very similar but with Minion-themed cards (which is perfect because we are huuuuuuge Minion fans!). Exploding Minions from Exploding Kittens The Minions have invaded the Exploding Kittens Universe! Play the Minions-themed version of the…

  • how to make Nishnobblers
    Crafts for kids - Roald Dahl crafts

    How to make Wonka’s Nishnobblers

    August 24, 2021 - By 

    My 9 year old loves to be in the kitchen. She recently asked to make something and with Roald Dahl Day coming up next month we decided to make something inspired by one of his stories. Everyone knows The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me and we loved the sound of yummy Nishnobblers (from Roald Dahl’s Completely Revolting Recipes!). “there were Nishnobblers and Gumglotters and Blue Bubblers and Sherbert Slurpers and Tongue Rakers, and as well as all this, there was a whole lot of splendid stuff from the great Wonka factory itself” Ingredients: 100g dark chocolate 100g white cooking…

  • piano in sunflower fields
    Monday Happy List

    Summer Holidays edit {Week 358}

    August 23, 2021 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. It’s a chance for me to sit down and 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 love to write. Summer Holidays edit {Week 358} The kids spent a happy week at Iver Environment Centre. They’ve been a few times now and always have lots of fun. They spent the whole week outside, learning about plants and animals, building shelters, playing games, taking part in the…

  • hay bales at the Pop Up Farm
    Family Life - Hertfordshire

    The prettiest sunflower field near London

    August 21, 2021 - By 

    Living in the ‘burbs means we get the best of both worlds. Easy access into London on the tube, and easy access to the surrounding countryside. For the last few years we’ve enjoyed trips out of London to explore lavender fields, sunflower farms and pumpkin patches. All summer we’ve been looking forward to our annual trip to the prettiest sunflower field near London, just 30 minutes from where we live. The prettiest sunflower field near London We’ve visited the Pop Up Farm before and have always enjoyed our visits. Only 15 miles from London, they run an experiential PYO farm…