• Family Life

    4 ways to take care of yourself in 2019

    January 6, 2019 - By 

    Can you believe that 2018 is over? With the advent of the new year you might be wondering where the past year has gone and what 2019 might have in store for you. But rather than spending another year chasing after people, worrying about deadlines and hoping you might get some time to hear yourself think, why not make 2019 the year that you put yourself first for a change? There’s nothing selfish about thinking about yourself and your own physical and mental priorities. So, why not consider trying these ideas in the New Year and make 2019 the year where you are number one. 4…

  • Free Chinese New Year printable – Year of the Pig
    Chinese New Year crafts - Crafts for kids - free printables

    Free Chinese New Year printable – Year of the Pig

    January 5, 2019 - By 

    We’ve always had loads of fun crafting around the theme of Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year (see some of our previous Chinese New Year crafts here). The children love learning about different festivals celebrated around the world and we’re lucky that living in London we are able to go and watch the wonderful Chinese New Year parade. This year it starts at 10am on Sunday 10th February, beginning with a colourful parade of floats and dragon dancing on Charing Cross Road. What is Chinese New Year? Chinese New Year is a Chinese festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on…

  • What books featured in our Book Advent in 2017
    Advent crafts - book review - Family Life

    What books featured in our Book Advent in 2017

    January 4, 2019 - By 

    I was in two minds about having a Book Advent last year. Although we had  books from the previous year I just didn’t have time to wrap them all individually. However my 7 year old wanted to know why our Christmas elves hadn’t brought the books when they arrived with the Advent calendars, so I quickly got them out so she could enjoy reading them. What is a Christmas Book Advent? The idea of a Christmas Book Advent is simple. Alongside your daily chocolate treat you can also consume something a little longer lasting – a book! We love reading and…

  • 17 new Elf on the Shelf antics from the gingerbread house blog
    Christmas - Elf on the Shelf - Family Life

    17 new Elf on the Shelf antics

    January 3, 2019 - By 

    Although I wasn’t entirely sure about bringing back our Book Advent (but I’m glad we did) I knew our two Christmas elves would be making an appearance on December 1st. We have two elves, one for each child, who bring the children’s Advent calendars and stay around to make sure they are having fun during December. This is a family Christmas tradition which we started a few years ago. In preparation for December 1st I found the Elf surveillance camera and sign, the two elves and started to plan some of the daily activities. Now I’m working it was essential…

  • felt Christmas jumper
    Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 221}

    December 31, 2018 - By 

    Happy Monday everyone. Hope you had a great weekend and a very Merry Christmas. Each week I start off by writing my Five Happy Things blog post. It’s a great chance to 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 221} Christmas Day passed in a bit of a present opening blur to be honest, as I expect it does for most parents of young children. The children had both asked for Lego sets, fortunately…

  • Printable New Year's Resolutions for Kids
    Crafts for kids - free printables - New Year crafts

    Printable New Year’s Resolutions for Kids

    December 29, 2018 - By 

    I hope you are all enjoying the break between Christmas and New Year. I think it’s my favourite time of the year. We are fortunate that having spent the last week visiting family and friends now we have nothing to do except relax. The children have been playing with their Christmas presents and I have been watching endless films and crafting. Printable New Year’s Resolutions for Kids With the end of the year approaching I wanted to make a simple free New Year printable for kids, to encourage them to reflect on the year. I’m sharing my New Year’s Reflect and Resolve…

  • New Year Party Hat Treats for a New Year treat
    Crafts for adults - New Year crafts

    Simple New Year Party Hat Treats

    December 27, 2018 - By 

    I hope you had a lovely Christmas Day, however you spent it. It turned out to be a bit of a Lego-fest for our family, with everyone receiving major Lego gifts (except for me!). We are looking forward to a few quiet days at home, building Lego and eating chocolates. However, my thoughts are also turning to New Year and I wanted to share a fun New Year recipe to make, whether you are entertaining friends and family or spending the evening at home with a few loved ones. Ingredients to make New Year Party Hat treats: Regular shaped ice…

  • ikea gingerbread house
    Family Life - mindfulness - Monday Happy List

    Monday mindfulness – 5 Happy Things

    December 24, 2018 - By 

    Happy Monday everyone. Hope you had a great weekend. Each week I start off by writing my Monday mindfulness – 5 happy things blog post. It’s a great chance to 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 mindfulness – 5 happy things Last week was super busy with some kind of party every day. December is such a busy month for parents and I really felt like it was some kind of test to see if I…

  • Win a copy of The Not-So-New Mum's Notebook
    book review - competition - Family Life - parenting

    Win a copy of The Not-So-New Mum’s Notebook

    December 23, 2018 - By 

    I know that we haven’t even had Christmas yet but my thoughts are already turning to the New Year. I don’t go for New Year’s Resolutions at all but one thing I do want to try next year is a little bit of journalling and making more notes about my children. It’s a well known fact that children grow up far too quickly. Today I wanted to share with you something that could help you note the milestones, The Not-So-New Mum’s Notebook. The Not-So-New Mum’s Notebook The Not-So-New Mum’s Notebook is every mum’s essential companion and journal beyond the first year – whether…