A Family Guide To Surviving The Holidays

It’s that time of the year when you go home to your family and spend the holidays with them. Although family bonding during the holidays can be great, tempers can be tested at times, especially if you have extended family coming over to ask you personal questions in front of everyone!

Don’t put a damper on your holidays. Here are a few tips on how you can survive the holidays.

• Pace yourself – If you are going back to your family home for the holidays, pace yourself. You don’t need to spend every minute with your family. This is also your vacation and you need time to spend by yourself, especially if you’re an introvert. 

Schedule your visit and take time to do things by yourself as well as spending quality time with your family.

• Make lists – With the holiday rush, there are some people you tend to forget. Make it a point to list down the people you’d like to visit, the parties you will be attending, and the people who you need to buy gifts for.

Win £25 Groupon credit to treat your family this half term!

Keeping your little ones entertained during the half term holidays can be exhausting at times. This funny little Groupon deal offers parents 60 minutes of peace and quiet this half term – something that’s definitely on every parent's wish list!

…while obviously not a real deal, Groupon does offer some brilliant local family experiences and to give you and your family a little treat this half term, we’ve got two bundles of £25 Groupon credit to give away!

Half Term Humour

Half term has begun and with the stormy weather we haven't been inclined to venture out that far... bar to the shops for cake supplies, obviously.

The Mini Mes are little movie buffs like myself and the Mr so they are happy to snuggle up with the Sky remote to see what films are on demand....



Minxy: Can we watch this one?
Me: The Full Monty? Not really, it's filled with nude men!
Minxy: Yea, I know. I thought you would like it mum. *Raises eyebrows and starts laughing*


Oh dear! ...Casper it is then.

Have your children had any random requests?



I'm linking this with...

Reasons to be Happy

 

 

The Mini Mes have settled back into school well after a fun packed half term of trips to the cinema, crafts, baking, seeing friends, playing at the arcades, eating out and more. We have made the most of the nice weather too and used the scooters to and from school each day - it makes the journey a lot quicker also!

Although sports day was cancelled it has been rescheduled for next week which the Mini Mes are excited about. Minxy is very much into running at the moment so she is doing quite a few long distance races. Jamster is still in KS1 so his races include the egg and spoon and funny outfit run. Fingers crossed for some certificates and stickers.

I booked tickets to the TT for next year as a surprise for the Mr. I left him this note in his lunchbox last week when he went to work to see if he could work it out.

He wasn't able to work it out so I had to tell him but the flower delivery I received was proof that he was pleased!

 

What reasons do you have to be cheerful this week?

Chewits Chewie Gum *Review and Giveaway*

Half term is here and to celebrate the launch of Chewits Chewie Gum 1,000 Mumsnetters were asked for their top tips to make the week as fun packed as possible for families - you can view the results in their infographic below....

 

Chewie Gum comes in three flavours; Tropical, Lemon and Strawberry & Banana.  I was pleasantly surprised by the strong and original taste, as were the Mini Mes, who have really enjoyed having chewing gum that is aimed specifically at children aged 8 -11!
 

Each box contains 8 balls and the lid is conveniently shaped to prevent them rolling out. They are suitable for vegetarians and the packaging is recyclable too.

*** WIN ***

For your chance to win a hamper worth £25 bursting with Chewits goodies you can enter via the
Rafflecopter entry form below. The prize includes a box of 12 Chewie Gum packs, a Chew Tin which contains 8 stick packs of Chewits, a mug and a key ring.

The giveaway closes on 25th June 2013.

Good luck!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway



You can find out more about Chewits products here: www.chewits.co.uk

Meal Planning Monday

It's half term! No early starts and a week of having fun with the Mini Mes - woohoo!
We will be having some picnic lunches, weather permitting, and hopefully a BBQ at the weekend too. Although I tend not to plan dinners that frequently during the holidays, meal planning definitely saves pennies and time so I've decided to continue this week also.

What's on the menu...
Sausages, mash, carrots and onion gravy
Jacket potatoes with cheese and beans
Quorn curry with rice
Pizza, salad and garlic bread
Fish cakes, potatoes and peas

 

What's on your menu this week?

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

Reasons to be happy

My reasons to be happy

We had a lovely half term and managed to do so much during the week; baking, days out, theatre, cinema etc. The Mini Mes have settled back into the school routine well without any issues and have been cracking on with spellings, reading and homework without fussing either!

We had a lovely meal out on Monday to celebrate my dad turning 54 and the Mini Mes were complimented on their good behaviour - proud mummy alert! We also had a lovely meal out last night but as a farewell gathering for my brother and his fiancee before they move to Liverpool (her home town) to live. They will be missed but they are only a few hours away thankfully.

Minxy started swimming a few weeks ago and I am really pleased by her progress. I'm quite fearful of water and I don't want her or Jamster to be like that so it's lovely to see her confidence building. Jamster will be starting lessons after the Easter break.

What reasons to you have to be cheerful this week?

Reasons to be happy

My reasons to be happy

Half term is here and so far we have had a really lovely week, although it is going by to quickly! Monday we saw Wreck it Ralph and went sledging, we have seen the Gruffalo's Child at the theatre, caught up with friends and done some crafts and baking. Good family fun.

Tomorrow we are going to Stevenage to catch up with some friends we haven't seen in about 18 months. I'm looking forward to a natter, delicious food and snuggles with their tiny baby. Hopefully I won't return home broody!

I am happy to have my Mr in my life and although it is Valentine's Day and he is not the romantic or soft sort, he still got me a card. I love him so much and despite not spoiling me with flowers and chocolates I know he loves me anyway which I am grateful for (he must be mad).

What reasons to you have to be cheerful this week?

Reasons to be happy

My reasons to be happy

Half term is almost here random butt shuffle dance across the lounge which means a week off school and a week off work too. We have tickets to the Gruffalo's Child and lots of baking and craft activities on the agenda although to be honest I'm just looking forward to a lay in each morning and spending time with the Mini Mes!

We have our bedroom being decorated finally so it is going to be looking very beautiful, very soon. New carpet is being fitted on Saturday and I have this lush new bed arriving the following week...

... yes it has a tv in it! I absolutely love it and have many times walked past the bed shop drooling at the site of it. We have a new memory mattress to go with it too. Comfort here we come!!

My mum is my third reason to be happy this week. She plods along through life doing so much for others and she is very loving and kind. I've actually done a random act of kindness today and sent her some flowers to ensure she knows I love her.

What reasons to you have to be cheerful this week?

Reasons to be happy

My reasons to be happy

We had an amazing half term with a trip to Warwick Castle, Ice Age Live and a bonfire party to end the week. The Mini Mes were fine going back to school on Monday too despite both now having my chesty cough.

I am finally starting to feel better! After a chest infection for nearly 6 weeks I seem to have noticed some real improvement over the past few days and I am able to walk upstairs without panting and needing to catch my breathe! This has made me a lot more cheerful.

We have a child free weekend ahead as the Mini Mes are off to see their dad and I am very much looking forward to catching up on sleep and generally having a bit of a rest. We have a trip to the cinema Saturday to see 'Nativity 2' and I'm hoping we pop out for dinner too as I really fancy steak.


What reasons to you have to be cheerful this week?

Saturday Caption #SatCap

What do you think of this picture of Minxy at Warwick Castle yesterday, did her conversation really bore people to death?

I'd love to hear what you think!!

Head over to the wonderful Mammasaurus for more photos to caption or to link up your own.

We are at Ice Age Live at Wembley today but I'll pop over and comment back later on.

Have a great weekend!

Meal Planning Monday

The Mr and I are child-free from Tuesday this week until Sunday evening, the longest time I've ever spent without the Mini Mes *boohoo*. They are going to their dads for the majority of half term as he is off work, so this weeks meals should be a lot cheaper with only needing to buy half of the usual ingredients and no lunch box items for school!

So, what's on the menu...

Monday - Spaghetti and meatballs

Tuesday - Fish cakes, new potatoes and veg

Wednesday -Turkey and Bacon Lasagne (recipe coming later this week)

Thursday - Pizza

Friday - We will probably be eating out as my family return from Canada and we will need a catch up... possibly at the pub!

The weekends meals will vary depending upon where we are but I imagine roast lamb or chicken will be involved at some point - yummy!

Next week I'm hoping to use some recipes from my Slimming World books to try to shift some weight!

What is on your planner this week?

You can see what's on other peoples menus this week or link up your own meal planner with At Home With Mrs M.