• LOL Surprise Eye Spy Under Wraps
    Family Life

    LOL Surprise Eye Spy Under Wraps

    October 4, 2018 - By 

    My 6 year old just loves LOL Surprise toys and it’s not really hard to see why. Her generation are growing up with ‘unboxing’ toys and expect toys to have an element of surprise. She really enjoys collecting LOL Surprise and we are always amazed at how inventive each series is. We were recently sent one of the new L.O.L. Surprise! Eye Spy Under Wraps series to look at. L.O.L. Surprise! Eye Spy Under Wraps The L.O.L. Surprise! Eye Spy Under Wraps is part of the Eye Spy Series. You may remember be recently unboxed the LOL Surprise Biggie Pets which came…

  • New adventure game for fans of Thunderbirds Are Go
    Family Life

    New adventure game for fans of Thunderbirds Are Go

    October 3, 2018 - By 

    My children aren’t allowed much screen time during the school week but I always like to have a few apps on my iPhone for them to play. Kuato Studios and ITV Studios Global Entertainment recently released Thunderbirds Are Go: International Rescue, an official game based on the hugely popular television series. The game is available to download for free on the App Store and on Google Play worldwide. New adventure game for fans of Thunderbirds Are Go I grew up watching Thunderbirds and love the fact that my children are able to watch it too. The Thunderbirds Are Go television series follows…

  • The Spectacular City by Teresa Heapy
    book review - competition

    Win a copy of The Spectacular City by Teresa Heapy

    October 2, 2018 - By 

    One day, adventurous Mouse determines to set off to the bright lights of the spectacular city, accompanied by his friend Bear. But the city is full of distractions and dangers, and Mouse might need his steadfast friend more than he realises … With Autumn here it’s time to wrap up warm and take things a little slower. Curl up with your little ones and read Teresa Heapy’s gorgeous new adventure tale. With instructions on how to make your own paper aeroplane included, this is the perfect activity for a rainy afternoon. Why not take a crisp afternoon walk to your…

  • Family Life - film review

    The pawfect afternoon {Show Dogs film review}

    October 1, 2018 - By 

    My 6 year old just loves dogs. She really wants a dog of her own but it’s just not practical at the moment. Instead she has to make do with cuddly toy dogs, books about dogs and films about dogs. We missed Show Dogs when it was released earlier this year so were happy to be sent a copy to watch at home. Yesterday we enjoyed a quiet afternoon at home which was perfect for snuggling up under a blanket and watching Show Dogs. Show Dogs film review Have you heard of Show Dogs? It’s the pawfect family film, following…

  • Paper cutting workshop at the Barbican Centre
    mindfulness - Monday Happy List

    Monday mindfulness – 5 happy things

    October 1, 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 I survived another week at work. I have to admit I’m finding my new job a bit of a struggle. My children have adapted to going to Breakfast Club really well, they are pretty tired by…

  • Delicious Chocolate Gingerbread Brownie recipe
    baking - Crafts for adults - gingerbread

    Delicious Chocolate Gingerbread Brownie recipe

    September 30, 2018 - By 

    With the weather turning a little cooler I felt it was time to start baking again. After such a long, hot summer I’ve been craving my Autumnal comforts, such as homemade brownie after a walk in the woods. I noticed a jar of stem ginger in the back of the fridge and thought I would try a twist on our favourite brownies with the addition of some melted chocolate and stem ginger. It worked so well that I had to write the recipe down so I can find the recipe again when I need it and of course, share it…

  • Minecraft STEM Challenge books for kids
    Family Life - Minecraft crafts - STEM activity

    Minecraft STEM Challenge books for kids

    September 30, 2018 - By 

    MY 8 year old loves playing Minecraft, especially with his Dad. He’s got a great imagination and loves to build his own creations. He also likes a little help and has a good collection of Minecraft books to inspire him. He was recently sent two new Minecraft STEM Challenge books to read and tell you about – Build a City and Build a Theme Park. Minecraft STEM Challenge: Build a City Build a bustling Minecraft metropolis – and get to grips with STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering and maths) as you play! Using core STEM principles, this book will take…

  • Mollie Makes Kitsch Festive Loom Kit
    Crafts for adults - Mollie Makes crafts

    Mollie Makes Kitsch Festive Loom Kit

    September 29, 2018 - By 

    Regular readers will know that every month I challenge myself to make the Mollie Makes magazine cover gift. I’ve subscribed since it first came out and have had a drawer full of unopened kits – but no more! I’ve been making more time for grown up crafting and I love to make the kits and hopefully try something new. The last issue contained a crochet kit which I passed to a friend so I was looking forward to the new issue arriving. Mollie Makes Kitsch Festive Loom Kit Issue 97 of Mollie Makes included a Kitsch Festive Loom Kit designed by Natasha Humphreys. The…

  • Using leaves to make an autumnal sun catcher
    Autumn - Crafts for kids - Nature crafts

    Using leaves to make an autumnal sun catcher

    September 26, 2018 - By 

    My children are little magpies, collecting leaves, conkers and acorns wherever we go. Over the weekend we had a lovely walk in our local woods where we went on a little scavenger hunt, encouraging them to collect different coloured leaves along the way. The sun was falling through the trees overhead and it was lovely to be out after a morning of heavy rain. My youngest ran and ran, only stopping when she came across a den amongst the trees, or to show us something she had found. I wanted to use the autumnal leaves they had picked up so…