Magical Moments with Popchips

I do love a challenge, especially when lots of family fun is involved, so teaming up with Popchips was the ideal way to enjoy a delicious, and low calorie snack, while on the go. We had a fantastic week of mini adventures with the new BBQ and Sea Salt multi-packs of six to provide us with fuel for all of our activities.

Saturday

The weather was a little miserable but a bit of rain has never stopped play for us! We went to Tenpin Northampton for a few hours where the Mr and I teamed up with the Mini Mes for a several games of pool, we slipped into some funky red and white shoes for some competitive glow bowling, we enjoyed racing in the arcades and we used all of our coppers on the slot machines. When we clambered back into the car it was nice to have something tasty to nibble on while we traveled home.

Days Out With A Difference

The summer holidays are fast approaching and if you aren't jetting off for some sun, sea and sand you may wish to book a few days out nearer to home for entertainment. These fun and quirky ideas might be just the thing you're looking for!

The Abbey Pumping Station is the museum of technology and science in Leicester and it has some rather interesting exhibits! Apart from the restored Beam engines, steam shovel and narrow gauge railway you can also explore the history of bodily waste. That's right, there is a talking toilet, Victorian loos and Roman water pipes. The transparent bowel and cistern allow you to follow the journey of poo - the kids are going to love this one!

With over 800 figures in a picturesque woodland setting, the opportunity to decorate your own and a little tea room for treats, Gnome Magic is an unusual yet low cost attraction. There is a relaxing atmosphere as you take a stroll in the gardens but keep your eyes open for the terrapins and snakes! They may be slithering around the natural ponds along with the ducks.

Disney On Ice Returns With The Magical Ice Festival

Disney on Ice is returning next year for another incredible tour and not only will there be the much loved characters from The Little Mermaid, Tangled and Beauty and The Beast but Frozen will be there too! All of the little (and big) Elsa, Anna and Olaf  fans will love this magical family show which is visiting Aberdeen, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Nottingham, Cardiff, Birmingham and Leeds from March 2015.

Mickey and Minnie mouse will be in an arena near you where they shall introduce you to Sebastian

Chocolate Filled Christmas Pudding Cake

When it come to festive desserts I don't like Christmas Cake, mince pies or even custard so it can be a bit of a struggle to satisfy my sweet tooth at the dinner table!

I therefore decided to create a cake based upon a Christmas Pudding but with a completely different taste. This is a chocolate sponge filled with chocolate frosting and topped with icing - a lovely alternative to the classic.

7 Great Fabric Paint Techniques

There are limitless opportunities to customise all sorts of items around your house using fabric paints. You can jazz up your curtains, create your own clothing designs, produce original table mats and a lot more besides. There are also a variety of different ways to apply the paint to produce great patterns or repeat your favourite motifs. Fabric paints are easy to get hold of with websites such as George Weil stocking a great variety of brands and accessories. Here are a few fun techniques to experiment with when using fabric paints. Get the kids involved for a fun alternative craft activity.

The Ultimate Guide To Trick-Or-Treat Etiquette

With everything from glow in the dark skeleton onesies to Frankenstein outfits available from companies like Morph costumes, it’s no wonder the streets are taken over by excited trick-or- treaters come Halloween. Wicked witches and cheeky little devils go from door to door looking for candy and while this is a well-known custom trick-or-treat etiquette is essential, so here are some essential rules. 

Conker Pets - An Autumn Craft Activity

The Mini Mes have been gathering conkers every day on the way home from school. They generally get plonked in the front garden in the flower pots (or hidden in money boxes in their bedrooms like treasure until they turn green) but I started to wonder what else could be done with them. There is of course the traditional method of roasting them, threading a shoelace through the centre and smashing them in a game but I decided to opt for something a little more cute for some imaginative play....

Chocolate Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding

Our first Degustabox arrived a few days ago and buried within bubble wrap and pretty tissue paper were many delectable products including some croissants and brioche from Pasquier, a brand we often purchase ourselves. I decided to use the latter in a recipe, something I hadn't made in a while, and with its squishy centre and sweet crisp top, this bread and butter pudding was a simple success.

Ingredients

5 Pasquier brioche

Butter

Chocolate Orange Custard Tart

With the Great British Bake Off back on our screens I've been drooling over the delightful creations each Wednesday and I've once again been inspired to bake something of my own.

With custard tarts featuring last week I thought I'd make one, but with such a sweet tooth I felt I needed to throw some chocolate in too!

With a crisp pastry and smooth, rich centre this is truly indulgent.

It goes perfectly served with fresh berries and or whipped cream.

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We all manage to capture a few odd expressions, funny faces or mishaps on camera so why not share them so we can all have a giggle? That's what I will be doing each Saturday and for those that join in by commenting there will be a chance to win some treats each week!

How To Be A DJ - According to Jamster

When Jamster grows up he wants to be a DJ. Just the other day he announced that driving an ice cream van and helping himself to soft whip, flakes and sauce was his career choice but I guess kids change their minds quite frequently! 

He came to me with a sheet of paper which read "Skill: To set a long term goal for myself" and I was curious to discover what his goal was. I wondered what path he hoped his life was heading along and it was all written down in front of me, even providing a few tips on how others could get a dream job relating to music too...

What's On for Kids in Manchester

Whether it's making the most of the last few days of the summer holidays, planning for an action packed half term, or squeezing as much fun into a weekend away as you possibly can, Manchester is a great place to visit with the kids. Take a look at a few upcoming child friendly events:

Saturday Playhouse

Head to The Lowry with the kids between 11am and 12.30pm on Saturdays until the end of August and they'll be able to enjoy a morning of arts and crafts. Typical themes include making horse puppets from War Horse, making a carousel with characters, making Cbeebies inspired masks and much more. 

Traditional Family Fun

Join in the fun and games at The Imperial War Museum this summer and you'll be able to enjoy activities that children were enjoying a hundred years ago. You can play hopscotch on a war time street, make scrap books and peg dolls, play with spinning tops and even make your own cardboard theatre. 

WIN a Sage Ice Cream Maker worth £349.99

The summer holidays are here and if you haven't already enjoyed the sunshine with a few scoops of ice cream in the garden you now have the opportunity to do so. Sage have a range of kitchen appliances designed by Heston Blumenthal for those that love cooking and their kitchens, and they have created 'The Smart Scoop' - we have one to giveaway to our followers!

Not only does it have 12 temperature settings to make the best sorbets, frozen yogurt and gelato but it even plays music once your product is ready, just like an ice cream van.

You can watch Heston in action here:

My Sunday Photo

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We all manage to capture a few odd expressions or mishaps on camera so why not share them so we can all have a giggle? That's what I will be doing each Saturday and for those that join in by commenting there will be a chance to win some treats each week!

Spartan wasn't keen on the drilling coming from next door so he mounted the sofa and started barking at the wall...

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.

Minecraft Mad - Animal Mobs and Steve with Diamond Armour

Minecraft certainly isn't something that appeals to me but the Mini Mes are obsessed with it. It's rare to have a day pass without Cave Spiders, Creepers and Endermen mentioned or without a request for time on the Xbox. They can be creative through game play and I've never seen them team up together so eagerly as brother and sister, with no bickering whatsoever, which is definitely a positive thing. They were delighted when some figures arrived in the post for them recently as they can now play the game off screen too - I don't need to worry about those square eyes quite so much either!

Articulates Animal Mobs 6 Pack





This set includes 6 animals featured in Minecraft; a cow, sheep, pig, wolf, ocelot and a chicken. Each figure has a pixelated look so they appear near identical to how they are on the game and each has

Caption THIS #1

We all manage to capture a few odd expressions or mishaps on camera so why not share them so we can all have a giggle? That's what I will be doing each Saturday and for those that join in by commenting there will be a chance to win some treats each week!

The Mr was a little too excited to get the new appliances fitted into the new kitchen...

You Know It's The End Of The School Year When...

... The kids bombard you with artwork! All of the wall displays are taken down from the classes and the pictures are sent home. Most arrive ripped, covered in twisted staples or slightly crumpled after being rammed into their bags, but it's always lovely to see how creative they have been.

Minxy has so far this week returned home with quite a collection!

A cat carrying flowers...

Conversations with Kids

Sometimes the honesty from the mouth of a child can be completely hilarious whereas at other times it can result in you running for the hills with flushed cheeks in embarrassment. The Mini Mes have, as always, come out with a mixture of the two this week *cringe*. 

Thankfully nothing was said within close proximity to offend however! Phew...

When getting ready for school some mornings there is a lady that passes by the window with quite a long face.