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. 

There's No Such Thing As A Gruffalo...

As many children returned to school on Monday but the Mini Mes had a teacher training day, we decided to make the most of the beautiful empty woodland and check out the Gruffalo Trail.

Salcey is our most local forest and it's a lovely one too with a cafe, play area and a treetop walk to enjoy. With our discovery pass providing free car parking we like to call by as often as possible for some outdoor family fun. So, we popped the poochie in the car, as dogs are more than welcome, and we set off with our wellies to see what characters we could spot from the well loved story.

'A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood...'

Ship Ahoy! - Magical Moments

The ferry trip across the English Channel from France to end our fantastic Eurocamp adventure was a little rocky, to say the least. It was quite a windy and wet day so I expected the sea to be less calm than our initial crossing to Calais but still, it was a little worse than I had hoped for.

Me and the sea usually results in sickness so I wasn't looking forward to it, although I had prepared for the worst with a few nappy sacks in my pocket just in case much to everyone's amusement!

When travelling abroad we generally fly so this was a new experience for us as a family. I had travelled by boat once or twice with my parents as a child but never as a parent myself (bar a few

Mini Moment - Wild and Free

The evenings have been so warm over the past few days that it would be a waste not to go out and enjoy them. It may have meant the Mini Mes have had a few later bedtimes but the family fun and memories made have certainly been worth it. As the sun has set we have walked through overgrown fields playing 'I went to the shop and bought', ran around playing tag with each other until we were out of breath (me quicker than the rest) and we have walked the dog for miles.

Feeling the breeze in our hair is quite liberating and it doesn't cost a penny.

Rolling Around

New carpet needs to be tested!

Not only for bare feet comfort but for jumping, jogging on the spot and forward rolls too, apparently.

The Mini Mes were keen to get active the moment they came home from school by dancing and

Back to Basics

No TV and remote to argue over who watches what.

No games consoles to fight about which character they want to be 

No board games to stress about who goes first and which colour counter they wish to control.

Going back to basics brings the Mini Mes together.

What Do Your Children REALLY Think About You?

A video popped up in my news feed the other day and it left me wondering what the Mini Mes really thought about me as a parent. Like the mums in the video I always focus on my negative points and the things I need to improve on, but I was pleasantly surprised by their responses when I asked them... even if they were quite random!

Jamster "You are kind, generous, epic and definitely not evil."

Minxy "Hmmm you are definitely chatty and loud! Intelligent, responsible. Sometimes you are a hard worker but sometimes not. You are expensive that's for sure."



Can you tell Jamster likes his Marvel movies? Epic and evil are his current favourite words and his teacher even pointed that out at parents evening!
I really love that they picked out some of my positive points. I do try to be kind and generous as much as possible and them mentioning that makes me feel appreciated.
I may have even gone a little bit mushy inside when they said that!

I do have quite a large mouth and I'm used to facial expressions featuring wide eyes, especially when I'm attempting to sing and dance at 7.30am before school. Oops.
I wouldn't say being talkative is a negative thing though really. I'm just friendly.

I'm happy with that.

What would your children say about you?

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Elf on the Shelf Daily #2

This morning the Mini Mes woke to find our elf, Peppy Tum-Tums, sat on the sofa with the remote in his hand and a new DVD by his side.

I really enjoyed Nativity 2 at a review screening, it's a great family movie with plenty of humour, so it's a perfect film to watch together over the festive period.

I'll be posting daily updates daily during our elf's visit and if you have an elf for December feel free to link up your posts below!

#ElfOnTheShelfDaily

Fairy Frolics

Minxy hadn't lost any teeth in quite a while so the moment she noticed one was a little wobbly at the weekend she decided to tug at it until she pulled it out, despite my best attempts to persuade her not to. Ouch!

I think she was a bit shocked once it was actually in her hand and she felt a little bit guilty for being impatient and not allowing nature to take its course.

Her note to the tooth fairy is proof of that...

She was rather apologetic and even provided a gift for the fairy!

The fairy didn't have any cash to hand, possibly due to the fact a tooth loss was quite unexpected, so she wrote a tiny letter back, left a new book (she raided Santa's stash hidden in my wardrobe, oops) and added some sequins and glitter to the pile. 

Minxy was very pleased that Felicity Fairy prefers the cello....
Funnily enough that is the instrument she plays too.


Does your child write letters to the Tooth Fairy?

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Make-Believe Magic

I'm fairly sure that Minxy is no longer a believer *sob*. She has doubted Santa for a few years but if it works in her favour she is happy to play along!

She is hoping Father Christmas brings her some rather pricey gifts...

...she gets more and more like me every day with her expensive taste.

I'm glad she has mentioned the return of the Elf on the Shelf, it reminds me that although my beautiful tween is growing up she still appreciates the build up to the big day and that she is still a little girl at heart.
I'm really looking forward to dusting him off for some festive fun.

I also liked the fact that she added a comment about her being good 'most of the time'.
She is unbelievably honest!

Apparently she is only ever naughty if someone has irritated her though. Hmmm.



Do your children still believe?



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Guy Fawkes and X-Ray Glasses

We had planned to go to the local bonfire and fireworks display at the weekend but as the weather was horrendous we decided to stay at home in the warm instead. We started discussing where bonfire night originated from when Minxy piped up...

"It was just that bloke with gun powder"

That sums it up then!

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On the odd occasion when I may need a quick hand with something I'll ask the Mini Mes for assistance - It's only usually something small like some washing being taken upstairs, or a fresh tea towel being fetched.
I had a few Halloween items I wanted putting on the landing ready to go back into the attic so I called out to the kids who were watching a movie.

Me: Can someone do me a favour please?
Minxy: Are you going to pay me?

If only I was paid for every chore I did!

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Minxy and Jamster are big fans of secret agent and spy films (especially Johnny English) so they can often be found wearing hoodies and wandering around with badges and walkie talkies in hand!
Minxy appeared in the lounge the other morning with sun glasses on...

Me: Those aren't X-Ray glasses are they? *pretend to cover myself*
Minxy: Ewwww no, that would just be nasty to see you in your bra!

Not everyone would agree I'll have you know!

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I'm always summoned when busy, I swear they wait until I'm sat relaxing or in the middle of cooking before making a request, isn't that always the way? While slicing chicken for dinner Minxy approached me...

Minxy: Can I have a hug?
Me: In just a sec Minxy, I'll finish doing this and then I'll be with you. Have a hug with Jamster for a min.
Minxy: I would rather lick a toilet!

Aww sibling love.

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Have you had any funny conversations this week?

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Magical Moments - Play

A look of anticipation and another of deep concentration.

They can fight like cat and dog yet play nicely together, so naturally. 

Effortlessly.

Each grits their teeth for the challenge then eagerly awaits their next turn.

Being patient and providing encouraging words.

Offering support.

Playing happily together, yet against the other, as brother and sister.

We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything, than when we are at play.

― Charles Schaefer

Which games do your children enjoy?

Magical Moments - Siblings Search

A warm Autumn day.

The golden leaves crisp under foot and the giggles of the Mini Mes echo while they search for conkers under the trees.

I'm sat on a nearby step, just watching.
Just taking it all in.

They chatter together, lift fallen twigs and look in hope of finding prickly green balls camouflaged in the grass.
They squeeze them open carefully, standing closely to each other, both watching to see if a brown gem sits tucked away inside.

They return to their scooters and pop their treasure into a bag to take home-
Knowing seasonal crafts and games await them.

There is a great big world out there, I hear it can be a fright.

But take my hand and hold on-I know we’ll be alright.

Brother and sister we will forever be.

I am so happy; I have my best friend right here with me.

- Ericka Reynolds

Have you been collecting conkers yet?

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