• Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 246}

    I love to start the week by writing Five Happy Things. 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. Five Happy Things {Week 246} It was another busy week for my children with Science Week for my youngest and Sports Week for the eldest. My 9 year old was appointed official photographer as he couldn’t compete in anything with his broken wrist. I think he is pretty fed up with…

  • competition - Family Life

    Win a bundle of children’s books from Stripes Publishing

    With the Summer holidays looming, now is a great time to stock up on books for your children. Reading is a great way to stop the dreaded Summer Drain Brain and a great way to keep kids learning over the holidays. I was recently sent a bundle of books for young readers from Stripes Publishing. Read on for your chance to win a set of the three books detailed below. Win a bundle of children’s books from Stripes Publishing Vlad the World’s Worst Vampire by Anna Wilson In this latest instalment, Vlad finally has hit Bat Licence, but his mother…

  • Crafts for adults - Cricut Maker

    Using the Cricut Maker to craft a quilt top

    I’ve been pretty terrible at making time for me recently. My poor son broke his wrist and has been demanding a lot of attention – rightly so. Anyway, a few weeks ago I did manage a little progress on my Shipping Forecast quilt (I will finish it this year!). I used my Cricut Maker so thought I would share a few details of how it saved me time with my little Shipping Forecast quilt. Using the Cricut Maker to quilt You may remember I had pieced the felt map of the UK to the backing fabric, and I had cut…

  • Family Life

    Reign of Terror {a Minecraft graphic novel}

    My 9 year old loves playing Minecraft so I’m always keen to give him any Minecraft books to encourage him to keep reading. He’s enjoyed official Minecraft books, such as guides and annuals, Minecraft: The Island and Minecraft: The Crash. But he loves the unofficial books too, including the Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior series and The Elementia Chronicles. He’s recently discovered graphic novels so I was excited to be #gifted a copy of The Reign of Terror: the epic graphic novel adventure in a Minecraft world from Carlton Books. The Reign of Terror {a Minecraft graphic novel} Reign of…

  • Crafts for adults - food crafts

    How to make Graduation Cap Oreo Cookies

    As much as we’re looking forward to the Summer, a part of me is feeling a little sad that my youngest is soon to graduate from Infant School. She’s been busy practising her lines for her Leavers Assembly as she has a few lines to say. We’ve been shopping for her outfit too and I’ve finally managed to get her in a dress, albeit a shirt dress. We’ve been planning our Teacher gifts but I thought it would be fun to make some Graduation Cap Oreo Cookies to celebrate her last day of school. Graduation Cap Oreo Cookies ingredients: Ghirardelli…

  • Family Life - the Netherlands

    My holiday essentials when travelling with kids

    This post was written in collaboration with Panasonic but all thoughts and opinions are my own. We left it late but I’m so excited that we’ve finally booked our Summer holiday. We really wanted to spend a week abroad like last year. We were a little overwhelmed by all the choice so actually ended up booking to stay at the same place as last year – Duinrell in the Netherlands! We had such an amazing family holiday that we can’t wait to go back again. My holiday essentials when travelling with kids You probably won’t be surprised to hear that…

  • Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 245}

    I love to start the week by writing Five Happy Things. 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. Five Happy Things {Week 245} Little Sis met her Year 5 buddy and found out which House she will be in come September. I am so excited about her starting at Junior School although a bit sad about her finishing her time at Infant School too. I attended a Transition…

  • Crafts for kids - Painted rocks

    Easy Fortnite painted rocks for kids to make

    My 9 year old is obsessed with Fortnite. I have to admit it’s not my favourite game that he plays but he’s allowed time to play if he does his homework. I think he would play i all day if he could so I make sure to have a few craft ideas to keep him busy away from the PS4. We’ve already had fun with our colourful Fortnite Slurp Juice Slime recipe. Today we wanted to share our Fortnite painted rocks, these were so much fun to decorate and hide. Supplies Bag of smooth pebbles or rocks (we like these –…

  • Buckinghamshire - Family Life - Local Review - London

    Exploring Chiltern Open Air Museum with tweens

    A few weekends ago we visited the Chiltern Open Air Museum. Can you believe it has been on our list since we moved to Hillingdon 6 years ago? Yet it took us 6 years to find a free weekend! Anyway, we had a fantastic day at the Chiltern Open Air Museum with our tweens so now I want to tell you why you should visit too. Chiltern Open Air Museum with tweens Chiltern Open Air Museum is an outdoor museum in Buckinghamshire. You can explore over 30 rescued and reconstructed historic buildings from the Chilterns in a beautiful countryside setting.…