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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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
On Sunday we will be marking Remembrance Sunday here in the UK, which falls on the second Sunday in November. Remembrance Day marks the day the First First World War ended, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918. A two-minute silence is held at 11am to remember the people who have died in wars. Although the children learn about Remembrance Day at school I think it is important to talk about it at home too. My Great Uncle died in the First World War so we look at photographs and talk about him at this time of year. Over the…
My children are full of the Christmas spirit. They have designed their own Christmas cards at school, been practicing for their Christmas assemblies and keep changing their minds about what to put on their Christmas lists. It’s really exciting to see Christmas through their eyes. Both my children (and us adults!) love Lego. This year we added the Lego Gingerbread House to our collection, and soon it will be time to get our other Christmas Lego sets out. It’s just not Christmas without Lego! {Free printable} Santa’s Workshop Lego Challenge I have a free gift for all my readers today,…