• Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List {Week 266}

    I love to start the week by writing the Monday Happy List. 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 enjoy writing. Monday Happy List {Week 266} I have been making a lot of things over the last week. Perhaps it’s the time of year or perhaps I just have my crafting mojo back. I had quite a few things I wanted to make using my Cricut Maker and they are all…

  • Crafts for adults - Yodomo ambassador

    How to make a random weave basket

    I love to challenge myself to try new things. There are so many mindful craft activities and I love spending my day off listening to Radio 4 and making something for our home. Yodomo recently invited me to try one of their craft kits. Have you heard of them? They have a selection of online courses so you craft at home, from weaving to ceramics, botany and woodwork. They kindly sent me a craft kit to make a random weave basket along with access to the online course. How to make a random weave basket The craft kit contained lengths…

  • Christmas - Elf on the Shelf - Family Life - free printables

    {free printable} 24 Elf on the Shelf ideas for spreading Christmas cheer

    I have another fun and FREE printable to share with you today. Over the last few years we’ve been visited by our very own Scout Elf on the 1st of December. Yes, the children love our Elf on the Shelf and we love having him visit in the run up to Christmas. Last year he was joined by an elf friend so now the children both have their own Elf, who keeps an eye on them and makes sure they behave themselves. We’ve always had lots of fun with our Elf on the Shelf. Yes, I may spend a lot…

  • Advent crafts - Crafts for adults - Cricut Maker

    Our Mindful advent candle kit

    I love celebrating Advent. This year I wanted to try and keep it simple as it’s such a busy time of year, especially with two children at school. I’ve made the children their own advent calendars which hopefully I’ll be able to re-use year after year. Although I usually treat myself to an advent calendar this year I wanted something a little different. I find most advent calendars really wasteful, full of things I don’t really need (yes M&S Advent calendar, I’m talking about you!). I’m usually out of the door at half past 7 so I have little time…

  • Family Life - gingerbread

    Finnish Gingerbread Bites – a handmade gift

    It’s the time of year that was just made for baking! You all know that I named my blog after my favourite winter treat and I’ve featured lots of gingerbread recipes since I started blogging. We’ve baked gingerbread people, gingerbread houses, and tried all kinds of sweet treats from gingerbread (house) bread and butter pudding to gingerbread brownies. Today I wanted to share a sweet Finnish gingerbread recipe to make gingerbread bites. These bite-sized mouthfuls are a great after school treat, but can also be whipped up if you are visiting family and friends over the winter holiday. Our Finnish…

  • Family Life

    Why the school may not react well if your child is being bullied

    Disclosure – this is a guest post by the UK’s first Children’s Happiness Coach, Simon Benn. (image credit) I was once called into a school to do some happiness workshops but they didn’t really want to tell me why. When I pressed them for a brief, I was told: “to encourage the Year 4s to be nicer to one another in the playground, especially the girls.” Bullying was not mentioned. On the day they’d booked me I was sitting in reception waiting for the teacher to collect me before the first session. A mother who’d just dropped off her daughter…

  • Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List {Week 265}

    I love to start the week by writing the Monday Happy List. 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 enjoy writing. Monday Happy List {Week 265} After a busy week we decided to have a quiet weekend at home. We actually went to view a house near where we live which I immediately fell in love with, but unfortunately I don’t think the house is practical for our family right now.…

  • What I'm reading

    The Photographer of the Lost by Caroline Scott

    Today seems like the perfect day to share my latest book recommendation with you. It is Remembrance Sunday here in the UK and today I have been thinking a lot about the Great Uncle I lost in the First World War. His name was Alfred Young, he was only 21 when he died and he has no known grave. Last week I finished reading The Photographer of the Lost by Caroline Scott which is my favourite book of the year, it was both heart breaking and poignant. The Photographer of the Lost by Caroline Scott Until she knows her husband’s fate, she…

  • competition - Family Life

    Win a copy of How To Build A City

    With two little bookworms in the house I am constantly trying to find new books which my children will enjoy. Little Tiger Press recently sent us a copy of How To Build A City to review. Perfect for children budding architects and young city planners aged 6 – 8, this book will delight and amuse. How To Build A City by Isabel Otter From solar panels to sewers and from trams to tower blocks; follow this step-by-step guide and watch the city transform from a cluster of houses to a magic metropolis. Gentle illustrations  by new talent Harry Woodgate takes the…