• The Courts Garden, Holt
    days out - National Trust - parenting

    The Courts Garden, Holt

    August 16, 2017 - By 

    We’ve had some amazing days out recently. Whilst we were away in Wiltshire we visited the beautiful gardens at The Courts in Holt near Bradford upon Avon. This place has been on our list for ages so I was really happy that we finally managed to visit. As I get older(!) I find I appreciate gardens a lot more than I used to. My children seem to enjoy the gardens more than looking round historic houses, and since the National Trust provide so much for children to do, I knew we would all enjoy ourselves. Holt is a small village…

  • homestyle - Monday Happy List - Summer

    Monday happy things {week 148}

    July 31, 2017 - By 

    The first week of the summer holidays is over and we managed to pack in a pretty full week. My children spent 4 days at SuperCamp and had a brilliant time, making new friends, trying new sports and crafts. They had longer days than the school day but loved it although I didn’t really know what to do with myself. I spent my free time tidying the house as we have lots of visitors over the summer. It was quite a relief to be able to clean and change beds without the children around. I also enjoyed a cheeky lunch…

  • How to make a Summer Smash Book for kids
    crafts - holidays - Summer

    How to make a Summer Smash Book for kids

    July 26, 2017 - By 

    My children got brilliant school reports this year. I am so proud of them and all the hard work they do at school. With the 6 week school holidays I do worry a little about them losing some of the skills they have learned. I’m not a pushy mum (honest!) but I’ve introduced a few things to make sure their learning doesn’t slide over the holidays. For the last few years we’ve taken part in the Summer Reading Challenge run through our local library. This is as simple as reading 6 books during the school holidays for which they are…

  • playing pooh sticks
    book review

    The Anti-Boredom Book of Brilliant Outdoor Things To Do

    June 12, 2017 - By 

    With the Summer holidays looming we were sent a copy of The Anti-Boredom Book of Brilliant Outdoor Things To Do by Andy Seed to read. The outdoors are boring right? WRONG! From the hilarious Andy Seed, Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award 2015 for Best Books with Facts comes the fantastically busy Anti-boredom Book of Brilliant Outdoor Things to do. Suitable for all seasons, find out how to set bug traps, create a rainbow, construct an amazing summer slide and much, much more! But what about those rainy summer days we hear you cry? Not a problem! This book also includes…

  • on the beach
    Cath Kidston - holidays - Monday Happy List - Summer

    Monday Happy List – Week 101

    August 29, 2016 - By 

    Bank Holidays are extra special around here. The sun is shining and we are looking forward to an extra family day and hopefully a long overdue trip to the cinema to watch The BFG. I am also relishing the thought of my inbox having an extra quiet day 🙂 This morning I am bringing you my weekly Monday Happy List special Bank Holiday edition. I mentioned that we are away for a few days. We started the week in Exeter, chasing rhinos around the city. We seem to pack an awful lot into weeks away which is both fun and…

  • The Great Big Rhino Project and Trail
    days out - holidays - parenting - Sculpture trails - Summer

    The Great Big Rhino Project and Trail

    August 28, 2016 - By 

    We’ve finally been able to leave London behind and visit family and friends in Devon. We come a couple of times each year so always have our favourite places to re-visit around Exeter. This year we stayed in a fab hotel in central Exeter which was  a great base for exploring the city. The weather has been perfect so we spent a fun afternoon down by the Quay as well as walking around the Cathedral, City walls and historic buildings. On our first day we discovered a colourful life-sized painted rhino and quickly realised this was a really fun public…

  • Garnier Ambre Solaire Easy Peasy Kids range
    holidays - parenting - Summer

    Keeping safe this summer {Garnier Ambre Solaire Easy Peasy Kids range}

    August 13, 2016 - By 

    So far this summer we’ve been enjoying a Staycation. My husband has been recuperating after an operation so we have been exploring our local area which makes a nice change. The weather has been a bit of a mixed bag but we’ve had some really hot days and we’re looking forward to the mini heatwave which has been predicted this week. Whether holidaying at home or abroad good sun protection is a must. The children have been out in the sun a lot and our sand pit and paddling pool have had a lot of use. We’ve been keeping safe…

  • cold cooking with kids
    days out - mindfulness - Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List – week 98

    August 8, 2016 - By 

    The summer holidays are going so quickly and I think we’re all enjoying the slower pace of life. Although I’ve been ferrying them around I’m happy there are no after school clubs or evening activities to go to. With my free time I’ve been de-cluttering, eBaying, charity shopping and doing some of those niggling jobs I’ve been meaning to do for months. Who knew August would be a much-needed month of tidying and sorting. Kids had a great time at the summer holiday workshop they went to every morning. After 2 weeks of early starts I’m looking forward to a…

  • 6 ways to stop the Summer brain drain
    Summer - Twinkl Blogger

    6 ways to stop the Summer brain drain

    July 16, 2016 - By 

    As much as I am looking forward to the School holidays I have been thinking how to help my children having the dreaded brain drain. They have had their Class Swap morning at school and know who their new teachers and class mates will be. This will be a slightly different Summer for us as my husband is currently in hospital. He will be out of action for a good few weeks so we will be staying local for most of the holidays. I’ve been looking for ways to stop the Summer brain drain as they have both learned so…