Craft Subscription Packs From toucanBox (PLUS Your Chance To Win)

Do you ever have the urge to get crafty with your children, but don’t know where to start when it comes to getting materials? It’s difficult to remember to save every gloopy lolly stick, especially when you’re out and about.

If this sounds like you, then toucanBox is the answer! 

They make craft boxes for 3 - 8 year old children which are filled with everything required to ignite their creativity and transport them to another world. Each box contains a unique project to complete with the support of an adult... although if you’re anything like me, you’ll enjoy it just as much as your little one.

We are giving you the chance to win a 3 MONTH SUBSCRIPTION to the TWO CRAFT Grande box.

This contains:

Top 5 Family Destinations for the Summer Holidays 2015

Travelling abroad is one of life’s greatest experiences, but what’s even better is sharing it as a family. Holidaying together allows you to make life-long memories, see the world together, and create bonds that will last a lifetime. In order to ensure all of these things, you need to find a place that will be suited to everyone, from the babies to the grandparents. Due to this, a lot of people are now opting for boutique family holidays which guarantees an ideal adventure catering for all your needs and desires whilst abroad.

With summer is fast looming, you may not be sure where to go. Here is a quick guide to the top 5 summer holiday destinations 2015.

The Mini Mes in Kefalonia

Turkey

This is a European destination where families with children are very welcome with the locals being extremely friendly and helpful. Famous for its mud baths and delicious cuisine, Turkey also has a lot more to offer. If you are keen on history and architecture, the capital city Istanbul has an array of castles, palaces, and markets to visit, as well as trips on ferryboats to experience as a different mode of transport to the everyday walking and catching the bus. 

Him and Her in April

April has been quite a mixed month for us so far. We had the excitement of birthdays with Jamster turning 9 then Minxy turning 11 and we had a lovely relaxing holiday away in Wales over Easter. From there things seemed to go downhill quite quickly however and we had a full week of illness where we were all struck with the nasty Norovirus one after the other. It completely ruined the break from school and all of our remaining plans.

I'm not great at dealing with sickness as it is but when poorly myself and handling unwell children it certainly is a struggle. It's absolutely exhausting and I was praying for it to come to an end for everyone. Sorting sick is just another part of parenthood that we just have to crack on with though, however horrible, although you never get used to seeing your little ones suffer and I hate the feeling of helplessness. I wish I could take the pain away for them.

In some ways, trying to think positively, I was lucky that it was one child followed by the next rather than them both being ill together. Minxy was able to fetch flannels, tissues and toast when required to help her brother and Jamster plumped pillows and made drinks when it was his sisters turn to be down. At the time we all just did what needed to be done, no questions asked, but looking back now after we have all recovered it's quite lovely to think about how they were both so kind and caring for their sibling. Neither grimaced at the sight of the other (or how untidy our home was from a lack of housework!). Neither complained of boredom and not being able to go out. They didn't moan about helping when needed and in fact they even offered to at times or did so without me mentioning. Both were concerned for the other and it was really quite sweet.

They are back to their normal bickering now so they must be on the mend!
Here's hoping that May is better, although it is already set to be.

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Silent Sunday

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Sea Lion Selfies #SatCap

Sea Lion selfies are the new trend according to Jamster who just HAD to borrow my mobile and snap a picture with one last week. We went to the Welsh Mountain Zoo while in Wales over Easter and as the mammals were so friendly and lively going past the window, jumping out of the water and flipping over in the air, we spent quite a while admiring them.

I'm not sure what the random expression is about however!

Have you got a caption for this? - I'd love to hear it.
Have a great weekend.

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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

Equestrian Fun with Star Stable (PLUS Your Chance To Win)

Star Stable is a 3D virtual game which combines both equestrian role play and fantasy fun that the children (or kids at heart) can enjoy. It's ideal for those that love horses or animals in general and being a MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) they can chat safely online with friends to build their social skills without even leaving the house.

Apart from many educational benefits which include teaching your children about caring for animals, they can select and name horses for their personal stable before training them, competing in races and solving mysteries along the way. There really is so much to do and Minxy in particular has really liked this game so far. It's also far cheaper than riding lessons or purchasing her a new pet which many mums and dads will appreciate!

Cooking With Kids #SatCap

Today Jamster turns 9 - Happy birthday dude! I've been cooking a big cake to celebrate but usually the weekends involve lots of baking and my little production line is very handy to have at home...

.... even if they are a bit crazy and cheeky at times!

Ladybird Egg Box Bugs

With Spring upon us, I've been thinking about clearing out some of the clutter and it has enabled us to be quite creative in the process. All of the packing from various things can easily be transformed into something fun for the Mini Mes and these Ladybirds are an example of that!

They are rather cute and so simple to make all while using up old egg boxes from the recycling tubs. Your little ones could make an entire family too just like we did.

You will need

Fun Science: How to Make a Dough Volcano

Jamster had a natural disaster school project to complete over the half term break and after the initial tuts and sighs about homework in the holiday he was very keen to get stuck in. He actually enjoyed it far more than he expected and I know he felt proud once it was complete knowing that he had put time and effort in to create it himself.

I thought I'd share the details on how it was made so you can give it a go at home too! I feel by using dough instead of card or paper mache it looks quite textured and therefore more realistic.

What you will need

A Family Feast with Bella Italia

We eat out quite regularly as a family but I'd never thought about going to Bella Italia until an invitation to do so popped up in my email account. There isn't one that locally to us and I certainly wasn't aware that they had such an amazing children's menu as they do - you can have a smaller portion of an adults meal which is ideal for Minxy and Jamster as they generally eat the same as we do.

We were invited to the Milton Keynes restaurant on Savoy Crescent where nearby parking after 6pm is free. We were the only people there when we arrived so we could take our pick from the tables but by the time we left, an hour and half later, staff were turning people away as it was fully booked! This was proof that the food and  service were really good, especially for a Monday. It's definitely wise to book in advance like we did.

The Baby Show Is Back (and your chance to WIN)

The Baby Show (www.thebabyshow.co.uk) with MadeForMums is the UK’s leading pregnancy and parenting event, and will be returning to ExCeL London from 20th to 22nd February 2015.

The show is a must-attend event for new and expectant parents providing everything needed for bump, baby and you including all the essentials, alongside the latest, innovative products and not-on-the high street brands. This year it will incorporate The Work & Family Show, which is dedicated to providing expert advice, solutions and ideas for managing work and family life, and helping to kick start careers after having a family.


The Baby Show highlights include:

• Over 200 trusted brands offering visitors the chance to thoroughly test and try before buying.

• Exclusive show offers and competitions from top parenting brands. 

Family Fun at Hatton Adventure Farm (and your chance to WIN)

With it starting to get a little chilly and snow covering many towns at the moment, we decided to head to Hatton Adventure World on Sunday knowing that they have great entertainment whatever the weather. 

We aren't particularly bothered by the cold, it's nothing wrapping up warm can't solve, but many will prefer to stay indoors at home much to our advantage; it was lovely and quiet but we were able to enjoy all of the usual falconry displays, rides and animals.

The schedule showed that the Scales and Tails event was running when we arrived (it's on every weekend during January) so we headed to the exotic animal area to get hands on with lizards, snakes and spiders! 

I must admit I'm quite fearful of small creatures and creepy crawlies but on this occasion I felt rather brave and I happily held a cockroach. I wanted to persuade the Mini Mes to have a go too and sometimes you just have to lead by example which resulted in them plucking up the courage to hold some critters of their own. 

The Flu Vaccine - Protecting Your Children This Winter

The bugs are back in town. That's right; it's that time of year again when the tissues come out and the coughs creep back in. Flu can develop quickly and leave us feeling quite unwell indeed. With many of us not wanting to miss work or school and definitely not wanting to be poorly over the magical festive period in particular, it might be worth booking your family in for a flu vaccine today. 

Facts about flu

• In an average flu season in England, flu affects up to 10% of children aged 0 – 14 years

• Children are the main transmitters of flu and pass the virus on for longer than adults. For every 10 children who missed school because of flu-associated illness, eight household members subsequently became ill

Christmas Gift Guide - The Children's Edition

With the Christmas countdown truly underway, it's time to pick up and purchase all of the lovely gifts you will be popping under the tree for your little ones to open this December. Whether they prefer beauty and dolls or construction and crafts there is something to put a smile on any face with my ideas below.

How to teach children about saving energy

You might be looking for ways to cut down the cost of the energy bill at home but it doesn’t just have to be the adults' job to look out for a rogue light left on or a dripping tap - get the kids involved as well.

You can find advice and ideas from organisations, such as the Energy Saving Trust, on how to save energy and then get to work on encouraging the kids to take an interest.

It’s important that little ones view energy saving as a fun task: screeching at them when they leave the TV on when no one is in the room won’t get you very far.

Make them feel like a superhero and tell them that by turning off the lights and shutting all the doors that they are saving the world, one flick of the switch at the time. If they want to wear a cape whilst undertaking their energy saving duties, don’t stop them!

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Day 26

WIN a GoldieBlox Play Set

Children's toys are regularly split both in store and online into pink and blue for the different sexes, but GoldieBlox tries to eliminate this gender separation and introduces girls to engineering concepts through play.

The CEO Debbie Sterling, a 32 year old engineer herself, spotted the gender discrepancy while studying at university and created the toy range to help tackle the gender gap in technology, science, maths etc. Minxy already enjoys these subjects thankfully and she was very pleased to be sent a kit to try out herself - she likes design and creativity too which the set covers well.

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Day 23

My Christmas Gift Giveaway is back! 30 days, 30+ fantastic prizes.

A big thank you to my followers this year.

WIN a Bundle of Goodies

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Day 21

My Christmas Gift Giveaway is back! 30 days, 30+ fantastic prizes.

A big thank you to my followers this year.

WIN 1 of 2 Boingy Cushions

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Day 19

My Christmas Gift Giveaway is back! 30 days, 30+ fantastic prizes.

A big thank you to my followers this year.

WIN 3 Books from the Whimsy Wood Series