• cover of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay by Ali McNamara
    Family Life - What I'm reading

    Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay by Ali McNamara

    June 26, 2019 - By 

    A few weeks ago I was sent an early copy of the latest book from Ali McNamara. You may remember that I’ve reviewed some of her previous books including The Summer of Serendipity and Daisy’s Vintage Cornish Camper Van. Tomorrow Sphere will be publishing Ali’s latest book, Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay! They are also celebrating 10 years of publishing Ali’s fantastic books. About Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay Amelia is a single mother, doing her very best to look after her young son, Charlie – but money is tight and times are tough. When she first hears that…

  • Recycled milk jug lantern
    Bostik Family Craft Bloggers Network - Crafts for kids - Recycled crafts

    Recycled milk jug lantern

    June 25, 2019 - By 

    We’ve been doing a lot of junk modelling recently. It’s a great activity to keep the kids busy after school, and also encourages them to learn about what can and can’t be recycled. Today we raided the recycling for empty milk bottles for our latest craft. Recycled milk jug lantern materials Empty milk jug (washed and dried, label removed) Bostik PVA Glue patterned tissue paper beads Bakers twine Scissors How to make a recycled milk jug lantern First of all I removed the top half of the milk jug. I pierced the bottom to make two holes, which I threaded…

  • children wearing Cubs and Beaver uniform
    Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 246}

    June 24, 2019 - By 

    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…

  • three books on a bench
    competition - Family Life

    Win a bundle of children’s books from Stripes Publishing

    June 23, 2019 - By 

    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…

  • Using the Cricut Maker to craft a quilt top
    Crafts for adults - Cricut Maker

    Using the Cricut Maker to craft a quilt top

    June 23, 2019 - By 

    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…

  • boy reading Reign of Terror
    Family Life

    Reign of Terror {a Minecraft graphic novel}

    June 22, 2019 - By 

    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…

  • How to make Graduation Cap Oreo Cookies
    Crafts for adults - food crafts

    How to make Graduation Cap Oreo Cookies

    June 20, 2019 - By 

    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…

  • shelf of Dutch cheeses
    Family Life - the Netherlands

    My holiday essentials when travelling with kids

    June 19, 2019 - By 

    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…

  • girl with brightly iced Lego biscuits
    Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 245}

    June 17, 2019 - By 

    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…