• Blogger Board Game Club review: Carcassonne
    Blogger Board Game Club - Family Life

    Blogger Board Game Club review: Carcassonne

    November 13, 2018 - By 

    A few weeks ago we were kindly sent a copy of Carcassonne to play and review. The game was first launched in 2001. The idea is simple: Carcassonne is a clever tile-laying game based on the southern French city of Carcassonne, famous for its unique Roman and Medieval fortifications. Players develop the area around Carcassonne and deploy their followers on the roads, in the cities, in the cloisters, and in the fields while creating a perfect city landscape. Blogger Board Game Club review: Carcassonne As members of the Blogger Board Game Club we were sent this copy of Carcassonne to review.…

  • ginger fudge recipe
    Christmas - Crafts for kids

    Homemade ginger fudge recipe

    November 13, 2018 - By 

    Today I’m taking part in the Kid-Made Christmas Gift series organised by Teach Me Mommy. I couldn’t wait to sign up as we love making and giving handmade gifts. I think it’s important that my children enjoy can think of others, especially at Christmas time, so have been planning what we can give this year. We wanted to try something edible and thought ginger fudge would be fun to make and well received. Homemade ginger fudge ingredients 340g can of condensed milk 385g granulated sugar 43g unsalted butter 100ml water 2.5 tbsp ginger syrup (from a jar of stem ginger)…

  • Remembrance Day painted rock
    Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Monday mindfulness – 5 happy things

    November 12, 2018 - By 

    Happy Monday everyone. Hope you had a great weekend, especially if you were taking part in the Remembrance Day events. 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 I’ve managed to get my crafting groove back! It’s been tricky juggling work with my children but I’ve been making a conscious effort to…

  • Rolo Turkey Pretzels {a Thanksgiving treat for kids}
    Autumn - Crafts for adults - Thanksgiving crafts

    Rolo Turkey Pretzels {a Thanksgiving treat for kids}

    November 10, 2018 - By 

    The other day I shared a really fun Thanksgiving craft for kids to make, Pilgrim Hat cookies! Well I have another Thanksgiving craft for you today, another one to get you in the kitchen with the kids – Rolo Turkey Pretzels. Ingredients to make Rolo Turkey Pretzels Mini pretzel twists (1 for each treat) Candy corn (3 for each treat – I used these) Rolo caramel candies, unwrapped (1 for each treat – I used these) Small candy eyeballs (2 for each treat – I used these.) Red or orange candy-coated chocolate candies (1 for each treat – I used these…

  • Easy child-friendly poppy wreath for Remembrance Day
    Crafts for kids - Remembrance Day crafts

    Easy child-friendly poppy wreath for Remembrance Day

    November 8, 2018 - By 

    Both my children have been obsessed with the items they could purchase as part of the Poppy Appeal at their schools this week. Both were allowed to take in money to buy poppy themed rubbers, rulers, pencils and poppies to mark Remembrance Day and the Centenary of the end of the First World War. I am more than happy to donate money to the Poppy Appeal but I have been a little miffed that my children appeared more excited about buying a new rubber than the idea of Remembrance Day. Thankfully they are both part of the Scouting movement so…

  • Family Life

    How to Begin Adopting

    November 7, 2018 - By 

    Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash At the beginning of the adoption process, you understandably have an overwhelming number of questions. This article aims to address the most common questions individuals have about the adoption process and how to start. You are likely coming to adoption from a range of different backgrounds. You may already have children who have grown-up, or you’re looking to start your family through adoption. You may have suffered a loss or be looking to adopt your step-child. These differences mean there can be some differences in approach. This is a broad overview of the adoption process for children from the care system. The basics…

  • FurReal Star Wars Ultimate Co-Pilot Chewie from Hasbro
    Family Life - Hasbro Toy Tribe - playing

    FurReal Star Wars Ultimate Co-Pilot Chewie from Hasbro

    November 6, 2018 - By 

    The children are pretty big Star Wars fans so I can never resist a Star Wars toy when we are offered them for review. What I’m about to share may just be the cutest toy we’ve ever received –  Star Wars Ultimate Co-Pilot Chewie. Chewie is a favourite Star Wars character with us all. A legendary Wookiee warrior and Han Solo’s co-pilot on the Millennium Falcon, Chewbacca was part of a core group of Rebels who restored freedom to the galaxy. FurReal Star Wars Ultimate Co-Pilot Chewie from Hasbro What’s not to love about Chewie? The tall and loud Wookie has been…

  • Orla Kiely inspired pumpkin
    Family Life - mindfulness - Monday Happy List

    Monday mindfulness – 5 happy things

    November 5, 2018 - By 

    Happy Monday everyone. Hope you had a great weekend and enjoyed the lovely weather we’ve been experiencing. Did you make it out to a Firework display? Unfortunately we didn’t this year but we have enjoyed hearing all the fireworks going off around us 🙂 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…

  • The Very Merry Christmas Game
    Family Life

    The Very Merry Christmas Game {board game review}

    November 4, 2018 - By 

    We’re a family who loves to play board games together regularly. We’ve shared some of our favourites but are always on the look out for another game to try. With Christmas approaching next month we have a lovely seasonal game to tell you about today. It’s a fun family game of Presents, Crackers, Christmas Songs… and Sprouts! The Very Merry Christmas Game {board game review} We’ve played The Very Merry Christmas Game a few times now. It’s a fun board game where you move around the board collecting presents (the present cards) to fill your stocking. Presents have a star…