• Bob the Builder logo
    competition - playing - toy review

    Win a Bob the Builder Tool Bag from Smoby Toys

    October 24, 2016 - By 

    Over the last few weeks my children have had the lovely task of putting some of the latest Bob the Builder toys through their paces. Smoky Toys have brought out a new range of toys which I want to tell you about today. Read on for your chance to win one of them too! Bob the Builder First Work Bench This was the largest item so the first item we got out. It required a little effort putting it together but my children have been enjoying this toy. Work like Bob the Builder with the Bob the Builder First Workbench. It includes over 30…

  • Year 2 school book
    days out - homestyle - Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List – Week 109

    October 24, 2016 - By 

    It’s Monday and it’s half term which makes me very happy. This half term has felt long and I am glad the children can relax for a bit. Don’t let’s mention the ridiculous of amount of homework they were given considering they are in Reception and Year 2! Anyway, time for my weekly Monday Happy List post. Last week both my children were ill and missed a few days of school. It’s tough having sick kids at home but they both seem to be on the mend now. We did manage to make it to Parents’ Evening and they both had…

  • The Nightmare before Christmas picture book by Tim Burton front cover
    book review - Halloween crafts

    The Nightmare before Christmas picture book by Tim Burton

    October 23, 2016 - By 

    I count myself as a bit of a Tim Burton fan but I never realised he wrote The Nightmare before Christmas! A new version has just been published, not only written by, but also illustrated, by the talented Tim Burton. We were kindly sent a copy to review. This is the book that came BEFORE the film. This is the book that fans of all ages will be coveting. This is the book that contains exclusive, never seen before original sketches. This is the book filled with skill, craft, cunning and misery. This is the book of the Pumpkin King.…

  • A spooktacular Halloween at Warwick Castle
    days out - parenting - Warwickshire

    A spooktacular Halloween at Warwick Castle

    October 23, 2016 - By 

    Yesterday we were invited to visit Warwick Castle and see how six all new spine-tingling attractions have turned Warwick Castle into The Haunted Castle over Halloween! It’s been a long time since I last visited Warwick Castle so I was looking forward to going back with my children. My 6 year old is currently studying castles in Year 2 so I knew he would love it. A spooktacular Halloween at Warwick Castle Prepare to be scared this half-term at The Haunted Castle, returning this Halloween at Warwick Castle (22-31 October), with six all-new thrills and spine chills. By day, there are fun and friendly…

  • autumn leaves banner for kids
    Autumn - Baker Ross Blogger Network - crafts - Crafts for kids

    Celebrating Autumn with Baker Ross craft kits

    October 22, 2016 - By 

    Last week I helped on a trip my son went on with his Year 2 class. We stopped to look at the colour of trees and the children loved picking up conkers and pine cones on the way. Autumn is a great season as I think it is easier for children to see the change in the weather, the leaves changing and falling, and there are so many opportunities to craft! Baker Ross sent us some of their new Autumn craft kits to try at home and these have been great as both my children have been off school this week.…

  • FrubesMoves Challenge
    Family Life - parenting

    Breakfast grooves with Angry Birds Frubes

    October 22, 2016 - By 

    Have you seen The Angry Birds Movie? In it you finally find out why the birds are so angry… The movie takes you to an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds – or almost entirely. In this paradise, Red, a bird with a temper problem, speedy Chuck, and the volatile Bomb have always been outsiders. But when the island is visited by mysterious green piggies, it’s up to these unlikely outcasts to figure out what the pigs are up to. We watched the movie earlier this Summer and my children have had their favourite characters ever since. This has…

  • Teresa Mills pixelated mosaic kit
    crafts - Handmade gifts

    Pixelated mosaic heart decoration

    October 21, 2016 - By 

    We recently spent the day in the pretty town of Marlow where we came across a lovely pop up shop called the Craft Coop. This is a social enterprise business supporting over 150 artisans based in and around Maidenhead. Craft Coop takes over empty shops in town centres, bringing them back to life and offering a space for local artisans to showcase their products, as well as giving people the opportunity to purchase lovely handcrafted items. The Craft Coop in Marlow was just my kind of shop and one product which really stood out was the pixelated mosaic kits from Teresa Mills. I was…

  • Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Spooky School
    baking - book review - competition

    Win 1 x 3 new Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam chapter books

    October 21, 2016 - By 

    I love this time of year. The weather and early evenings bring us indoors more but it also means more time for reading! Luckily my two are little bookworms and love to receive new titles to review. Have you heard of Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam, everyone’s favourite robber-dogs-turned-bakers? They are the stars in a successful picture book series which my 4 year old always picks up at the library. So I was delighted to hear that a new first chapter book for readers aged around 6-9 years has just been published. Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Spooky School Shifty…

  • Ready for Halloween with Boohoo Kids
    Autumn - clothing - parenting

    Ready for Halloween with Boohoo Kids

    October 20, 2016 - By 

    I’m sure I’m the least fashionable mum on the school run but I love my children to look good. Luckily they both love to go clothes shopping and have an eye for fashion – perhaps they’ll be taking me shopping when they’re older! Anyway, Boohoo.com recently got in touch and asked if we’d like to review the new Boohoo Kids collection. I find it much quicker and easier shopping online than I do in person so I was delighted to spend a quiet hour with a nice cup of hot tea looking at their site. I was asked to take…