Chocolate Bunny Rocky Road - Easter Bakes

Rocky Road is one of those treats that we make time and time again as it's fairly foolproof, quick to create and serves quite a few hungry tums. With Easter on the horizon I decided to create a batch that was a little more seasonal - the bunnies, pastel coloured sprinkles and white chocolate on top certainly helped to provide a springtime look...

Ingredients

Chocolate and Marshmallow Mini Egg Fudge - Easter Bakes

If Easter isn't a good enough excuse to indulge with tasty chocolate treats and enjoy some time in the kitchen, I really don't know when is! These delicious chunks are so easy to make and could be a nice gift solution as an alternative to a more traditional egg (that's if you want to share).

Ingredients

Mini Makes #5 - Decorated Eggs for Easter

The main Easter celebrations may be done and dusted for another year but that doesn't mean the fun activities can't continue! Decorating eggs is quite a traditional idea to enjoy for this occasion and the Mini Mes have put a modern twist on this by making theirs based upon some of their favourite movies - Despicable Me and Home! 

You will need

Have an Egg-ceptional Easter with Guylian (and your chance to WIN)

In keeping with tradition, Guylian, the world’s favourite Belgian chocolatier, has a delectable range of Easter gifts that are sure to delight the taste buds and make this Easter eggs-tra special. 

Below is the new Guylian 2015 Easter range which is perfect for sharing or treating yourself - 

and you can win the entire collection in my giveaway!

Easter with Guylian *WIN*

Easter is just a few days away and if you haven't managed to pick up any tasty treats yet for your loved ones never fear - my Guylian giveaway is here!

We have three prizes up for grabs:

Luxury Egg 

Guylian’s Luxury Egg is accompanied by a full sized Luxury Belgian Collection box containing a mix of both classic Guylian Sea Shells, Opus, Perlines and Trufflina chocolates. It oozes elegance and would make a lovely gift for a couple to share this Easter... that's if you really want to give it away! Both the egg and chocolates are rich in flavour so you can savour the taste over time. This is one that will last a while.

RRP £10.99. 

Sea Shell Egg 

This delicious chocolate egg comes with a classic box of Guylian’s iconic praline Sea Shell chocolates and is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. A great sized set for an individual that is presented with class in white and gold. 

RRP £5.99. 

Guylian Mini Filled Eggs

Each Guylian Mini Filled chocolate egg is individually wrapped and there are three delicious flavours within each box; milk chocolate truffle, milk chocolate praline and dark chocolate praline. These are perfect for the younger generation and egg hunts around the home and garden! The Mini Mes are big fans of these.

RRP £3.49.

You can purchase Guylian Easter eggs from their website 

*** WIN ***

For your chance to win 1 of 3 Guylian Easter products as above, you can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below. 

The giveaway closes on Friday 18th April 2014.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*We received some Easter products for the purpose of this post. The opinions given are honest and our own*

Easter Footwear from Inch Blue *WIN*

Chocolate eggs aren't always suitable for babies and toddlers so a nice alternative will probably be required this Easter. Inch Blue, leaders in the children's soft shoe market, have some lovely gift ideas for your little ones this April and celebrating their 15th year of business this British family-run company provides products you can trust!

They have lots of lovely designs available including these beautiful and soft leather shoes with a bunny motif - ideal for Easter...

All the shoes are hand stitched in the Inch Blue factory situated in Wales, using soft Chrome-6 free

Kleeneze Easter Eggs

We have had great fun decorating eggs, making bunny cards and bonnets with Easter approaching and we have now had the pleasure of creating our very own Easter eggs with Kleeneze Egg Moulds!

You can buy online for £5.99 and have them delivered directly to your door, which is ideal for busy mums and dads that don't fancy a trip to town, or you can always order from your local representative too. The great thing about them being silicone is that they can be used year after year and removing the eggs once set is seriously easy - you don't need to worry that they will get stuck as they are flexible and non-stick!

How To Make Your Own Easter Eggs

• Melt your chosen chocolate (200g approx) in a bowl above a pan of hot water stirring

Easter Alternatives - Gift Ideas For Kids

It's more than likely that your little ones will receive plenty of sweet treats from friends and family this Easter, so you may wish to avoid any extra E numbers by purchasing chocolate-free gifts!

Whether your child is 2 or 10 these ideas should help you pick the perfect present.

• Frizzie the Lamb and Diva the Canary are part of the 'My Blue Nose Friends' collection, featuring a blue nose and patches, and they are arriving in stores just in time for Easter! They are seriously soft to the touch so ideal for plenty of hugs and with their own unique character they are lovely for role play games and more. Frizzie is forever getting lost as she is a curious little creature whereas Diva loves to be the centre of attention! At £5 these are perfect for play this April - and even great for grown ups that collect them too.

• Yellow Moon is a firm favourite when it comes to crafts and their Easter product range is bound to please any creative child. With Scratch Art Egg Decorations, Suncatchers, Daffodil Wreaths and Easter Sprinkles galore they will certainly help to keep your kids entertained until they return to nursery or school. There are even Bunny Cards to make and send to loved ones! The Mini Mes really like these items, especially Minxy.

• The kids can enjoy a colour-in eggstravaganze this April with a table cloth, bunting and Easter egg hunt clues to doodle on from Eggnogg. Colouring is not only ideal for rainy days indoors, it has endless benefits for children when it comes to concentration, imaginative and coordination skills - they can learn while having fun without evening knowing it! The bunting will decorate the garden nicely and the table cloth keeps little ones busy while waiting for their Easter feast. The Mini Mes have really liked colouring a different section each mealtime and finding how many eggs and birds there are in total.

• You might worry about your child's sweet intake but you can feel guilt-free with Goody Good Stuff with their all-natural gum range. They are free from fat, meat, dairy, alcohol, gluten, egg, nut, soy and gelatine so ideal for allergies too. We really like the Strawberries & Cream and Tropical Fruit flavours in particular but there are 8 varieties to choose from something for every taste. A great food gift without the chocolate.

• With Eggling you can grow your own plants at home this Easter, inside an egg - its fun and educational for kids! The egg already contains peat mixture and seeds so it's as simple as cracking the top with a spoon, adding a splash of water and then popping in some sunlight to create your indoor garden. The kit comes complete with a terracotta tray and extra seeds to use. Once your plants have grown for as long as 5 months within the egg you can place it directly into soil to continue flourishing! There are three herbs, three flowers and four special edition Egglings to collect. 

What gifts will you be buying this Easter?

*We received the above products for the purpose of a post. The thoughts given are honest and our own*

An Easter Egg Hunt With nu3

Easter isn't just for the kids and the latest competition from nu3 allows us adults to hunt out virtual eggs for the chance to win a prize! 

The Mini Mes and Me have partnered with nu3 and somewhere on this blog is an egg image, identical to the one below, for you to find and click. This then takes you through to the nu3 Facebook page where you simply paste the url into the form (from the page where the egg image was found) and you have the chance of winning 1 of 3 Goji Sweet Tooth Packs!

The funny things kids say and do

Having had the Mini Mes at home the past two weeks for Easter, I've been able to have a lot more conversations with them and listen in on a few too!

 

 

Me: Come on kids, grab your shoes.

Minxy: We aren't goats mum. Please refer to us as children!

 

 

Minxy: Why do you think grown ups don't appreciate bad behaviour?

Jamster: Because they are grumpy!

 

 

Jamster: Can I borrow your Pillow Pet please?

Minxy: Yes but please don't dribble on it. I don't want it getting disgusting.

 

 

Minxy: What are you doing mum?

Me: Just listing a few things on eBay.

Minxy: Can you sell people? Can we sell Jamster?

 

 

Minxy: If this was Come Dine With Me I'd probably give you a 9 out of 10 mum for your cooking. Maybe a 10.

I found this lovely award from Minxy for apparently being kind to her... and a prize too of some of my own chocolate! It's the thought that counts I guess.

 

What funny things has your child said this week?

I'm linking this with...

 

Meal Planning Monday

Firstly, happy birthday to the Mr! 31 today. Also a big happy birthday to my brother and uncle who grow a year older today too - March is certainly busy for celebrations. I hope he loves his presents (which include tickets to Nitro Circus, Gentleman Jack Whisky, clothes, chocolates, movies etc) although as usual he gave me no ideas as to what he would like! If he wants something he will generally buy it himself so I was clueless as always. We are having a meal out later in the week to celebrate when all the family are available to join us rather than today although a sneaky fried breakfast out may be on the menu.

Our plans for the weekend were cancelled due to the heavy snow so unfortunately we will need to reschedule our trip to Drayton Manor for another time, although we still enjoyed picnic style food at home with sun hats and Batman costumes....

A fancy dress disco in Minxy's room

This week we will be having...

Slow cooked lamb stew and dumplings
Salmon and gnocchi bake (using some lovely produce from Fish is the Dish)
Chicken and ham pie with veg
Meatball bolognese
A midweek meal out for the Mr's birthday when all the family are available to join us


I'm hoping the weather improves by next weekend or the Easter bunny might get frost bite! We have a few treats to bake this week with the arrival of the Easter holiday and we thoroughly enjoyed baking caramel egg cookies and creme egg brownies last week.


 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Egg decorating - Hungry Caterpillar and Superheroes

It's that time of year again where the school holds the annual Easter fete, the Mini Mes get the chance to decorate eggs at home to compete for a prize, and I have the worry of transporting their masterpieces to school without cracking them on the way!

 

Jamster's Humpty Dumpty egg won from a previous year which he was so pleased about; he had put a lot of effort into it and he received lots of delicious, chocolate goodies.

It's nice to win but it's also a fun activity and gets the kids to be creative at no or little cost. They really enjoy getting involved.

 

Being a Superhero fan Jamster went for Batman and Spiderman, his favourite two characters...

 

 

He used felt tips to colour the Spiderman egg and some sticky foam as eyes. Batman was made with silver face paint to colour it, a black bag as the cape, mask and pants and sticky foam as the eyes with a card badge.

 

Minxy went for a Very Hungry Caterpillar, creating a glittery home for it too...

 

 

She coloured one egg red and a second one green for the body using felt tip pens. She added sticky coloured foam as eyes and straws for the antennae. The home she created was a bug catcher box that she covered (literally) in glitter and sequins and filled with green shredded tissue paper.

 

 

Minxy won first place for hers!

 

 

We are also entering our eggs into the Polarn O. Pyret competition to win a soft bunny and a £50 voucher which you can join in here: Polarn O. Pyret Easter comp

 

Have you been decorating eggs?

 

Reasons to be happy

My reasons to be happy

The Easter break fast approaches and I can't wait to spend a fortnight with the Mini Mes. Both of their birthdays are during this break so I'm looking forward to celebrating with them being at home rather than school! We have lots planned including a trip to Torquay with friends, a few cinema visits and days out at the zoo.

The school Easter fete is being held today and Minxy has offered to work on her stall, selling ice cream! She is always keen to help others and is very kind in that way which makes me a rather proud mummy. Hopefully we can win some eggs on the raffle while we are there!

We are going to Drayton Manor at the weekend and I'm really looking forward to a day out as a family. I'm hoping the weather improves a little though as it seems bitterly cold out there again but hopefully it will be a nice way to enjoy the Mr's birthday (yep, 3 family birthdays in the space of 14 days eek).

 

What reasons to you have to be cheerful this week?

Guylian - Easter Egg Giveaway

The shelves in most supermarkets have been stacked with Easter eggs since just after Christmas and as the end of March fast approaches you will probably be stocking up on chocolate goodies for family and friends too.

 

Guylian have kindly provided two delicious Easter eggs to give away to make sure you enjoy a nice treat too.

 

 

 

 Made from the finest Belgian chocolate, this egg comes complete with a selection of sea shells.

This luxury edition egg is accompanied by a delicious Belgian chocolate assortment so you can really indulge!
 

 

*** WIN ***

 

For your chance to win 1 of these 2 eggs you can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes on 26th March 2013.

 

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Our week that was... Sledging, pink pancakes and the Gruffalo (Project 365)

Sunday we spent the morning doing crafts including Chinese lanterns and in the afternoon we had a long walk around the reservoir in the rain and fed the ducks before a play at the park.

Monday we saw Wreck it Ralph, had a Subways lunch and then spent the afternoon sledging in the fresh snow.

We made some pretty pink pancakes on Tuesday and Wednesday after visiting a friend we went to the theatre to see The Gruffalo's Child.

 Thursday was Valentine's Day and I received these lovely things from my Mr... late in the evening however, I think he felt guilty!

Friday we  received a huge bundle of Easter goodies to review and Jamster was particularly eager to taste the cute Smarties animals.

Saturday I had my hair cut. It's quite different from my usual look so I'm a little unsure whether I like it yet.

What did you get up to this week?

I'm linking this with...

Our week that was... new beds, food and outdoor fun

Sunday the Mr and I decided to go on a hunt for a new mattress, as despite being only 2 years old our current one isn't very comfortable. This resulted in us buying new carpet, a TV bed, pillows and a new mattress and we looked at new beds for the Mini Mes too.... Oops - but worth it!

Monday we went on a bike and scooter ride after school for some outdoor fun and fresh air. Minxy has a basket on her bike which was handy for bringing back a few bits of shopping in too. We didn't get out as much this week as I would have liked but with it being half term now we will be outdoors a lot next week.

Tuesday Spartan decided to join in with my 30 day shred by climbing on me during sit ups!

 Wednesday I received a lovely Weight Watchers hamper of goodies including wine, bonus.

Thursday Minxy had her first swimming lesson in the evening. She loved it and did really well, the instructor said she was confident which was reassuring as I have a phobia of water.

Friday after a busy evening clearing our bedroom out completely ready for the new carpet I popped on a movie and poured the Mr a Jack Daniels Single Malt to relax.

 Saturday As the Mini Mes were really good while the workmen were in today, I treated them to some chocolate eggs, pizza and a movie.

How has your week been?

I'm linking this with...

Reasons to be Happy

My reasons to be happy


There was a tiny glimpse of sunshine yesterday and for that I am very grateful. The snow was fun and pretty but then it turned to slippy mush which I wasn't so keen on. Sunshine lifts my mood endlessly and reminds me that spring is on the way... and Easter eggs.

My blog post on Jamster's funny homework was named Blog of the Week by Netmums yesterday which I was really pleased about. It's nice to know that time and effort blogging is recognised at times. It makes those late nights worth it!

I've read a few posts recently about competition wish lists so I've decided to enter a few myself to win some goodies. I've won a few random bits over the years although never anything of great value. Fingers crossed for a holiday, car or cash pretty please. There seem to be some great ones about at the moment.

My blog turns 1 on Sunday! I'm not sure where the time has gone but I'm pleased by the how my blog has developed over the past 12 months and I appreciate the support of others with taking the time to comment enormously. Here's too another year!

What reasons to you have to be cheerful this week?

Saturday Caption

I'd love to say that now the Mini Mes are a little older taking pictures of them together has got easier, but it hasn't!

What are the terrible twosome up to here?

These was taken Easter 2010!

 Do you have a funny or witty comment for these pictures?

I'd love to hear it!

You can link up your own picture or view more over with the sexy mama that is Mammasaurus.

Have a great weekend.

Silent Sunday

Eggcellent fun! - Egg decorating

Many schools this time of year have bonnet making competitions but at the mini mes school they also have an egg decorating one. It's a great opportunity for the kids to get creative and use their imaginations so we always get involved. My son actually won last year so we must be doing something right!

It's still fun for little ones (and grown ups) whether you have an event to join in with or not so I'm sharing the method with you to try at home, over the Easter holidays maybe when the kids need entertaining more so than usual. It's very easy to do.

Equipment
Eggs
Pan
Water
Plastic spoon/scoop
Plate
Pens, paint, glue, card, glitter (whatever you have for decoration)

1. Boil some water in a pan and then add your eggs. The water should cover the eggs completely.

2. Cook the eggs until they are hard boiled which will usually take around 5-10 mins. I tend to leave them for 10 mins to be sure.

TIP Add a few extra eggs to the pan just incase shells split or someone drops one to save cooking more later!

3. Once boiled, carefully remove the eggs from the pan and put them on a plate to cool.

4. Once cool its time to decorate them!

Here are the mini mes creations from last year:

You can decorate them however you like, favourite characters, animals, people.... the list is endless.

We haven't completed this years entries as yet but this post will be updated shortly with pics of them for inspiration. We have some great ideas in mind already!