• Family Life - parenting

    Returning to work and finding the right childcare

    July 4, 2018 - By 

    Photo by Joseph Chan on Unsplash I mentioned the other day that after 8 years as a freelancer and full-time blogger I’ll be returning to the world of work. Over the last 12 months I’ve dipped my toes in the world of working outside the home and now I’ve got a proper job. I’m ridiculously excited about all the changes that this will bring. For a start I obviously require a whole new wardrobe of clothes and a new Orla Kiely handbag. I’ll be making one more packed lunch every day, to add to the mountain that I already make. And the children will…

  • Win a bundle of BIC goodies {BIC KIDS Young Artist Award}
    competition - Crafts for kids

    Win a bundle of BIC goodies {BIC KIDS Young Artist Award}

    July 4, 2018 - By 

    My children love a challenge so I knew they would love to enter BICs creative competition for 5-11 years olds this Summer. Running for the second summer in a row, the BIC KIDS Young Artist Awards aims to engage the nation during the Summer holidays and Back to School period. BIC KIDS Young Artist Award Open to all 5-11 year olds, the Young Artist Awards runs from 2nd July to 5th August. To enter, parents simply need to take a photo of their child’s masterpiece and upload it to the BIC KIDS website before the deadline at 11:59 pm on Sunday…

  • Great days out with Capri-Sun Original 50% Less Sugar
    days out - Family Life - parenting

    Great days out with Capri-Sun Original range {with 50% Less Sugar!}

    July 3, 2018 - By 

    My children are really enjoying the mini-heatwave we’re currently experiencing. I have to admit that my fair English skin is struggling but with two kids full of energy we are making the most of the good weather by getting out and about. Our family calendar is booked with play dates, picnics and parties which is lovely. Great days out with Capri-Sun Original 50% Less Sugar I’m pretty good at packing a picnic for family days out now. At the weekend we visited Paradise Wildlife Park and with the temperatures soaring I had to make sure to pack plenty of drinks.…

  • Peter Rabbit: Let's Go! app
    competition - Family Life

    Peter Rabbit: Let’s Go! app and giveaway

    July 2, 2018 - By 

    Did you know that The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter was first published in 1901, and has never been out of print since? We love anything by Beatrix Potter, especially the CGI animated TV series of Peter Rabbit. The animation is a playful re-imagining of her timeless children’s classic. Peter is a hero who overcomes obstacles, outwits predators and avoids danger as he embarks on a series of exciting adventures with his best friends Benjamin and Lily. My daughter has always loved the show so we were excited to hear that Peter Rabbit has hopped onto mobile in…

  • Family Life - mindfulness - Orla Kiely

    Monday mindfulness – 5 Happy Things

    July 2, 2018 - By 

    Happy Monday everyone. Hope you had a great weekend. The weather has been lovely all week (again!) and we loved getting out for some family time this 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 We managed to fit a lot into last week. My daughter had her first school trip…

  • Googly Eyes from University Games
    Family Life - playing - toy review

    Googly Eyes from University Games

    July 1, 2018 - By 

    I think I’ve mentioned before that my 8 year old loves to play board games. I know we’re pretty lucky as we get offered some fun games to play. My son is always delighted when he asks to play a board game and I can bring a new one out. We were recently sent Googly Eyes from University Games to try out at home. Googly Eyes from University Games My 8 year old thinks he’s a bit of an artist which is why I thought he would love Googly Eyes. It’s a hilarious drawing game that challenges your vision and leaves…

  • A day out with the kids at Paradise Wildlife Park
    days out - Family Life - Hertfordshire

    A day out with the kids at Paradise Wildlife Park

    July 1, 2018 - By 

    Paradise Wildlife Park is Hertfordshire’s best zoo and offers a range of great activities for the perfect family day out. Today we headed off to enjoy a day out there, with a picnic and a change of clothes for the kids! Paradise Wildlife Park Our first stop was to see some of the animals that Paradise Wildlife Park is known for. They have so many animals, including tigers, lions, meerkats, tapirs, camels, wolves and so much more. We all love the cute little meerkats. We also managed to time it right that we watched the penguins being fed. There were loads…

  • Easy Wood Carving for Children book cover
    book review - Crafts for kids

    Easy Wood Carving for Children {book review}

    June 30, 2018 - By 

    With the Summer holidays looming I am beginning to collect ideas of days out and activities to keep my children busy. Like any children, they can get bored during the school holidays, so I like to have some ideas up my sleeves to bring out. Easy Wood Carving for Children Following on from the success of his previous book, Snitte: The Danish Art of Whittling, Frank Egholm seeks to extend the appeal of this traditional hobby to a younger generation in his new book, Easy Wood Carving For Children. Wood carving is the ideal activity to help them reconnect with…

  • Sweet Pups Series 1 collection
    Family Life

    Sweet Pups – the soft toy that transforms!

    June 30, 2018 - By 

    Have you heard about the new adorable Sweet Pups? They are the latest collectible craze for kids, a sweet little plush puppy hidden inside a pastry and they launched this week! Sweet Pups – the soft toy that transforms! Sweet Pups are the cutest range of soft, plush puppies hidden inside scrumptious looking pastries. With 12 adorable breeds to collect in series one, choosing your favourite will be as hard as deciding on a sweet treat from a wonderful patisserie! Sweet Pups look like the most delicious croissants, macaroons and sticky buns on the outside. Opening the pastry package, reveals the wonderful…