• Christmas - Gift guide - Lego

    Minecraft gift guide for a 5 year old

    My 5 year old has been pretty much hooked on Minecraft since we introduced it to him a couple of months ago. He’s allowed 30 minutes a day if he’s done his homework and helped with some chores. I’d like to say it’s a family thing as my husband and daughter are equally addicted, I seem to be the only person who doesn’t play it. A couple of months ago he wrote his Christmas wish list and Minecraft featured pretty heavily. I thought I would share our Minecraft gift guide with you, there are a few things he has asked…

  • Kids crafts - toy review

    Fireman Sam Diecast Vehicle Set

    Fireman Sam was one of the first tv programmes my son was really interested in. It sparked his love of emergency vehicles and transport in general. I remember one year it felt like all he received was Fireman Sam toys and he was able to have many adventures with his very own Pontypandy! He recently received the new Fireman Sam Diecast Vehicle Set from Character Options. The set contains Venus, Neptune and Jupiter and is aimed at children aged 3+. He was quite excited to see this pack and immediately asked if these were to review – you can tell…

  • days out - Kids crafts - Local Review - London

    Christmas crafting at Tea & Crafting

    On Saturday I got the chance to spend a rare day with my son. We had been invited by DryNites to spend the day at London craft workshop Tea & Crafting and have some fun crafting time together. My 4 year old loves to craft so I knew he would enjoy this. He loved every second! Christmas crafting at Tea & Crafting You may remember I had previously spent a crafty morning with the DryNites team and Tamara Melvin earlier this year. If you recognise the name, she was the finalist in the Great British Sewing Bee. She had two…

  • school

    Improving handwriting with STABILO

    I’m actually quite excited about half term next week. My little 4 year old needs a break from his school routine and I’m looking forward to not rushing out the door in the morning. My son has had a great report from school and the only thing he needs a little help with is holding a pen correctly which will give him more control over his writing. He loves to practice his writing at home, he writes little letters to his grandparents every week. I was delighted to be contacted by STABILO who have a huge range of products specifically…

  • parenting

    Inspiring learners to write

    You all know that my 4 year old started Reception this September. He has settled in really well and adjusted to his new routine, he no longer flops on the sofa when he gets home but runs around like a mad thing until bedtime. He is very keen to share all his new knowledge with his sister and the poor thing gets bossed around by her brother, he even tells her off when she does things her own way, rather than his. One of the great benefits is that she wants to copy him. She tries to ‘write’ just like…

  • homemade - homestyle - vintage

    A place to dream

    We spent the weekend doing house stuff. We are hosting the family for Christmas and had a panic that we didn’t have enough seats for everyone so spent the weekend choosing a new one. This meant we started thinking about choosing a colour for the living room, buying a new rug and putting up some shelves so my collection of vintage yachts can finally go on display. We also promised my 4 year old that after he started school we would buy him a new bed. He’s been in his cot since he was 6 months old and it converted…

  • days out - Local Review - London

    Moominsummer Madness at the Polka Theatre

    Today Big Brother and I were invited to meet the Moomins on a summer musical adventure at the Polka Theatre in south London. It’s not often we go out without Little Sis but as the show is recommended for age 4+ I thought it would be a nice opportunity to see this show together. Tove Jansson’s most iconic characters the Moomins, who have charmed children for generations, take to the stage for Moominsummer Madness. With breathtaking puppetry, heart-warming humour and original songs performed live by actor-musician puppeteers, this musical adventure makes the perfect summer family treat. We arrived at the theatre…

  • competition - homestyle

    Win a Superhero bedroom party for sharing your child’s Superhero stories

    My 4 year old has developed a sudden obsession with Spiderman and other superheroes. I blame the Marvel Kinder Eggs he’s been collecting and the Lego set he bought recently. I was excited to hear about an exciting partnership inspired by Spider-Man, the Philips Marvel Spider-Man range which inspires little heroes’ creativity, projecting a world of light around them to make playtime more vivid.  Come bedtime, Spider-Man helps kids feel safe and sound by comforting them with a touch of light throughout the night, when it’s needed most. Some of my favourite products are – the Wall light Spider-Man: give…

  • crafts - Crafts for adults - nursery - sewing - tutorial

    How to make a minibeast costume

    A couple of weeks ago I read those words that strike fear into a parents heart. My 4 year old was taking part in a Minibeast concert at nursery and needed to dress up as a minibeast. I pride myself on being an organised parent but I only found out about the dress up a week before the event! When I asked my son what he wanted to wear he said a worm, a snail and also a butterfly. We had a chat and compromised on a ladybird cape that could be worn with black trousers and a black long-sleeved…