Family | Life | Food | Travel

31 July 2019

WIN Tickets To National Forest Adventure Farm (And See The Moon Landing Maze)

Following months of planning, the National Forest Adventure Farm has now revealed the design of its annual maize maze which will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing!


The maze design features Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 mission Saturn V rocket recreated in maize form.


Located near Burton upon Trent, the Farm had kept the design of the maize maze a closely guarded secret and this year farm mascot Crumpet the Cow flew to the edge of space to reveal the unique design. The fluffy Friesian travelled over 35,000m capturing images of the maze design on a 4k high definition, 360° digital camera before parachuting back to earth safely.

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18 June 2014

Football Photo Frames - A World Cup Craft

With the World Cup well under way the Mini Mes were keen to find out a little bit more about it and get involved with some themed crafts too. While discussing how the group stages worked (and avoiding the offside rule, thankfully) we created a simple football photo frame that they can both pop their favourite pictures into.




You will need:

Coloured card/foam
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21 March 2014

Hidden Gems - Pets Corner, Weedon.

Sometimes it's the small, local and virtually undiscovered attractions that bring the most happiness and enjoyment to your children, and we have a hidden gem on our doorstep. 
Although we have had many great days out at LEGOland, Sealife Centres and theatres galore we like to go back to basics from time to time and this is the perfect place to do so.



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10 March 2014

Mother's Day Jewellery from Cavendish French *Win*

Being a mum is a full time job and when it comes to Mother's Day it's lovely to be treated to something special that shows real appreciation. Whether that's in the form of a hand made card from the kids, a pretty bouquet of flowers complete with chocolates or just a night away from the kitchen and cooking - it makes us feel loved by our little ones.

However, if you are after a gift with a touch of elegance this March, a wonderful keepsake, look no further than Cavendish French. They have a stunning silver jewellery collection with something to suit everyone - from the timeless and classic to bold contemporary statement pieces, and everything in between. 




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24 February 2014

Benidorm: The Place to Be for Happy Families

What used to be a small town on the east coast of Spain, Benidorm has morphed into one of today’s top tourist destinations. The numerous clubs, late-night bars and cabaret attracts many UK and European holidaymakers, out for nightlife, entertainment and good-quality Spanish beer.

However, the interesting, educational and adventurous kids’ activities make Benidorm a fine destination for families too. Here’s just a taste of what Benidorm holidays have to offer families:



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15 February 2014

Pooh Sticks and Den Building


I'm rather glad that we decided to head outside for several hours of family fun last Saturday, despite the rain, as on Sunday I managed to injure my back and I've not been able to leave the house since (bar 1 trip to the GP yesterday). I've barely been able to walk and, much to my embarrassment, I've had to borrow my Grandma's zimmer frame just to move from one room to the other! 

If you shook me I would definitely rattle.


Fingers crossed this week we will be able to get outdoors more frequently, especially with it being half term.









We visited our local wood again, Badby.

We had a lovely time walking through lots of mud and puddles, throwing branches for the poochie, playing pooh sticks, den building and exploring.


We may have had quite a bit of fun pulling silly faces for the camera too...


 


Hehehe!

What outdoor fun have you enjoyed this week?


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04 February 2014

Getting Kids to Take Care of Their Teeth

When it comes to getting the Mini Mes ready for the day, or for bed, they like to drag their heels a little when it comes to brushing their teeth. They find those 2 minutes twice a day quite boring and I'll admit it's not particularly exciting, but it is very important. 


Survey results of 1,000 members of Netmums by Aquafresh show that I'm not alone:

12% of parents surveyed spend three days a year getting their kids to brush their teeth
12% of parents are most worried about teeth brushing when it comes to their kids
14% say their children hate tooth-brushing
13% use some form of bribery to get their children to brush their teeth


So how can we encourage our children to brush their teeth?

Hopefully my tips will help...

  • Play a song for two minutes to drown out the silence and make toothbrushing more fun
  • Purchase brushes with their favourite characters on
  • Brush yours at the same time - kids like to mimic others
  • Praise your kids when they do well or use a reward chart
  • Let them pretend to brush their teddy/doll's teeth afterwards
  • Use plaque disclosing tablets or fluid which will show your children why they need to brush their teeth





The Aquafresh 'My Big Teeth' range is aimed at children aged 6 years and over to give them some independence when it comes to oral health. The range includes both mint and fruity mouthwashes to suit different tastes, funky toothbrushes to aid the transition from baby versions to adult ones and toothpaste which has been designed especially for mouths with gaps and gums on display.
It may be worth getting some if your children need a little encouragement when it comes to brushing their teeth!


How do you encourage tooth-brushing?


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08 January 2014

Stained Glass Heart Cookies

Soft and sweet these cookies would make a tasty treat for someone special this Valentine's Day.
The shape and colour go well with the themes of love and romance PLUS they are seriously easy to make - Minxy baked these all by herself.




Ingredients
♥ 4oz butter
♥ 4oz caster sugar
♥ 100ml golden syrup
♥ 1 tsp vanilla extract
♥ 1 egg
♥ 450g plain flour
♥ Pinch of salt
♥ Seedless jam/boiled sweets

Method
Preheat the oven to 180C and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper
Cream the butter, caster sugar, egg, golden syrup and vanilla extract together in a bowl
Sift in the flour and salt
Stir to combine the ingredients and to create a soft dough
Roll the dough out to around 1cm in thickness on a lightly floured surface
Cut out the cookies with a heart shaped cookie cutter and then using a smaller cutter remove the centre
Place on the baking tray and fill the centre of each cookie with jam or crumbled boiled sweets
Bake for 8 minutes until golden
Allow to cool slightly
Scoff!



For a chocolate alternative cook the cookies with the centre left empty and while still on the greaseproof paper pour in melted chocolate then leave until set.



Will you be baking anything for your Valentine?


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23 December 2013

Meal Planning Monday

This week seems to have come around so quickly and I imagine it will be over just as fast! I intend to enjoy the festivities with my family, scoff plenty of delicious food and sit back with a glass (or two) of wine.
I truly love this time of year that brings loved ones together to celebrate Christmas and the new year. 

This weeks menu...

Monday - Hunters Chicken with wedges and peas
Tuesday - Lasagne with garlic ciabatta
Wednesday - Christmas dinner 
(consisting of turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, sausages wrapped in bacon, honey glazed parsnips, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, peas, carrots, cauliflower cheese and of course bread sauce and gravy)
Thursday - Buffet dinner
Friday - Pasta bake



What will you be eating over the festive period?



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Meal Planning Monday
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20 December 2013

5 Ways to Turn Your Photos into Art

Photographs shouldn’t languish in unclicked Facebook galleries or in forgotten folders on your desktop. It’s time to show off your snaps and keep your treasured memories alive and kicking. If you’re looking for creative ways to display your favourite pictures, we’ve come up with 5 fun ideas to help you turn your photos into your very own works of art:


Think Big
You may not be David Bailey or Annie Liebovitz, but your pictures are just as deserving of a little gallery attention. Professional photo printers PhotoBox will turn your personal pics into big, beautiful artworks, ready to adorn your walls. Print on canvas for a textured, arty feel or choose acrylic for a contemporary, pop art look. For a bolder style, create big, high quality posters from your photos or, for a sleeker option, print onto slim aluminium to give your photographs the attention they deserve.

A Year in Pictures
With Christmas and New Year terrifyingly close around the corner again, it’s time to invest in those all-important yearly calendars. Instead of an ironic Cliff Richard version or another twelve months of Jack Vettriano prints, why not use your own art to cheer everyone up each time Monday rolls back around? Choose great images from last year to brighten up your months, or just choose the cutest pictures of your pet pug to make April, June and November as adorable as possible for your friends and family. It’s totally up to you.

Cutting & Sticking
Every art lover likes to get a bit sticky sometimes. To turn your everyday photographs into great, graphic works of art, it’s time to be a bit crafty and get collaging. You can take inspiration from anywhere you like, Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, David Hockney or David March. We’ve found that slicing similar photos taken at just one occasion into strips, then sticking them all together to create an arty tableau is really effective.

If you’re a technical whizz, why not complete all this on the PC and then order a pile of prints? Alternatively, scan your finished masterpiece in by hand and have PhotoBox turn it into a big and brilliantly bold canvas for your home.

The Coffee Table Treatment
Give your photographs the coffee table treatment and compile your images in a beautiful printed book. Unlike a photo album, printed photobooks look slick, professional and impressive, giving your photographs a real artistic feel.

Totally Vogue
Create eye-catching prints for t-shirts, bags and more using your favourite photographs. Digital printing allows you to use your artistic shots to make striking graphic prints perfect for accessorising your latest look.


Feeling snap happy? Spend your Nectar Points on PhotoBox goodies to turn your treasured photographs into special works of art.



Have you turned your photos into art?


*PR Collaboration*
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19 December 2013

3 Fun Pool Activities For Families

There’s an autumnal nip in the air, and although the weather may not always be on our side, there is still one family activity that can be always be enjoyed: swimming. The country is full of local pools that you and your family can visit, whatever’s happening outside.

While a simple web search can direct you to your nearest pool, a much easier way is using Nectar’s new swimming offering Nectar Swim. Simply put in your postcode and a list of local pools in your surrounding area will appear. For those who collect points, the swim programme also allows you to redeem for emailed vouchers to use at your local participating swimming pool, opening up a whole world of water-based fun for you and your family. Before enjoying any of our suggestions, please do make sure that children are supervised at all times in and around any pool area.




Once at the pool, your family will find any of these three water games great fun:

  • Bobbing heads – To play bobbing heads all you need is a soft foam or rubber ball. One person is designated ‘it’ and is given the ball. The other players move a distance away and submerge, popping their heads out of the water at irregular intervals. ‘It’ has to hit one of the other players on the head with the ball while their head is above the surface. If a player is hit then that player becomes ‘it’. Any number of players can join in and the game can continue as long as everyone remains interested. You can also vary the game by having those who are hit join ‘it’ with extra balls. The winner of the game is the one who is the last to be hit.
  • Dolphin race – This race game can be played individually or in relay teams. The object is for players to stand in the water on one side of the pool and, on the starting signal, to move a beach ball to the other side of the pool using only their noses. The winner is the first to get the ball to the other side or, in the case of a relay, to get the ball across the pool as many times as there are members in the team. Anyone using a part of the body other than their nose has to start again.
  • Whirlpool – This is a simple game that requires no equipment and everyone is happy because there are no winners or losers. This is how it’s played. Everyone in the group joins hands in the shallow end of the pool and then starts to walk clockwise in a circle around a given point. Gradually, everyone starts to walk faster until they are running as fast as possible. Then, on a given signal, everyone turns and tries to go in the opposite direction. It’s practically impossible, as the current created is so strong. Most will slip and fall as they struggle to move the other way, creating a melee that is hilarious to watch – and be part of.


These games will keep your family happily occupied for hours but remember to stay safe and don’t forget that there are other people in the pool who want to have some fun too, so try not to interfere with their enjoyment. And make sure to follow the rules of the pool, as they are intended for the benefit of everyone.

Have fun in the water this autumn using your Nectar points, and don’t forget to check out Nectar Swim – which can cost as little as 300 points for a child ticket.



*PR Collaboration*
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10 December 2013

Compliments from Kids

Fast approaching my 30's I don't tend to receive that many compliments anymore, so the ones I do get generally leave me in denial or make me feel amazing for days!

The Mini Mes are little angels when it comes to making me feel special, it comes naturally to them, but I'm not quite sure they have completely grasped the concept of compliments just yet.


While heading out of the door for the morning school run...

Jamster: Ooo you smell lovely today mum.
Me: Aww thank you, that's very kind.
Jamster: That perfume you wore yesterday stunk.


When collecting the Mini Mes after school in my new winter footwear...

Minxy: Witwoo mum! 
Me: Thank you, do you like them?
Minxy: Those boots make you look really tall and skinny like a huge giant.


Errm, thanks, I think!


Do your kids 'compliment' you?


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02 December 2013

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


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07 November 2013

WIN a Glocal Connection Necklace courtesy of Mania Mia #ChristmasGiftGiveaway

The party season is upon us. The perfect opportunity to dress up, get together with friends and family and celebrate Christmas and the New Year in style!

Mania Mia have kindly provided a beautiful hand crafted necklace from Ms Glocal by Glocal Connection, exclusive to their boutique. It features intricate beading in lovely festive colours including green, gold and silver.




About MsGlocal

"MsGlocal by Glocal Connection was started by two girls with global roots; infused with the love of travel and fashion; a desire to empower others and to make the world a better place for all who inhabit it. We help sustain communities of artisans and micro-producers in developing markets; by implementing innovative business practices and providing them a platform to sell their products."


About Mania Mia
"Named Fulham's best kept secret, Mania Mia has established itself as a haven for the stylish shopper to discover affordable chic women’s contemporary fashion and accessories. The boutique supports independent fashion designers from around the world delivering fashion-forward styles from brands that cannot be found anywhere else in the UK like Danilo Gabrielli, Tata Naka, The Hip Tee and Glocal Connection. Much more than a fashion boutique Mania Mia is a destination for everything unique and inspiring. The boutique has a fabulous event space downstairs where they regularly host designer sample sales; pop up shops; seasonal fashion previews; music evenings and art exhibitions."



*** WIN ***

For your chance to win you can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes on 1st December 2013.

Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure you enter the previous competitions and return tomorrow for our next #ChristmasGiftGiveaway!

You can find out more information here: 
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01 July 2013

PhotoFairytales prints *Review and Giveaway*

If you are thinking of treating your child's teacher to an end of term gift, try something unique like a personalised tree print from PhotoFairytales this year.
 



We received a beautiful print for Jamster's teacher and from start to finish the service was fantastic. I truly felt like an appreciated customer, which would make me return time after time to purchase products from the online store.
 


Family Tree detail


The print itself features a dark grey tree, green and pink leaves and a small blue bird. You can have it as your class or family tree if you wish, with up to three generations, and add wording of your choice below.


Once you have provided your required names, using the form while ordering, you are sent a proof to check the spellings and positioning of names before it's dispatched. Attention to detail is superb!






The tree is printed on high quality (240gsm) gloss finish photographic paper and arrives with both a backing board and white bevel cut mount (10" x 8"), ready for you to frame as you wish. It also came within a clear bag and boarded envelope to prevent damage during transit via free 1st class delivery - it is very well protected indeed!




I was really pleased with the item and I intend to order a family tree version for myself in the very near future! I'm sure teachers appreciate any gifts they receive but with a little time and effort you can create something that will be a lovely reminder of their year.
At £16.95 I feel it's a great value gift solution.


*** WIN ***
 
For you chance to win a tree print, either for your family or child's teacher, you can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.
The giveaway closes on 15th July 2014.
Good luck!
 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
*We received a tree print for the purpose of this review and giveaway. The opinions given are honest and our own. For privacy reasons the imagery used was supplied by PhotoFairytales, we did not use our own photos on this occasion.*
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Bin Weevils Bling Collection


Bin Weevils is the free online community for children that has over 2 million active users throughout the UK, where they can create their own nest, interact with others and play games.
 
 
A new collection of playsets and figures has been launched which come complete with codes, to unlock different areas of the website, and Jamster was very pleased to receive a set to review.
 
 
 
 
 
Apart from being a great place to store your toys, the exclusive Bling Collectors Tin from Character contains 8 super special figures including a ‘blinged’ Tink and Clott, 6 crystalised Bin Bot characters, 6 clear Bin Bot plinths and a glitter sticker sheet. The plinths are a great way to display the figures and they also connect together to form paths or a circle which you can use during play. 
 

 
 
Suitable for children aged 5+ the figures themselves are solid and even the larger two, that have moving limbs, seem sturdy enough to be played with regularly without fear of bits falling off!
 
 
 
 
Jamster was pleased with the set and has found the tin really useful for storing both Bin Weevils and other micro sized figures he collects. The code was handy as it unlocked a nest item for him to use while playing online too.
 
 
 
The RRP is £12.99 for this set which is reasonable in comparison to similar alternatives.
 
You can find out more information on Bin Weevils, purchase the products and play the online game on the website:
 
 
 
 
*We received a Bling Collection for the purpose of this review. The opinions given are honest and our own*
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27 June 2013

The Garden Party Season is nigh!

Got your summer party groove on yet? Hurry, or the party may start without you.
Outdoor parties are all good fun and it’s a great opportunity, as a host, to shine and throw one of the best summer parties your town has seen! Have you watched The Great Gatsby movie? Well aim for that, and your parties will be the envy of all your friends and family and go down in history.

Even if you have a small garden - it doesn’t matter because it means you can have a nice cosy get together, meanwhile if you have a garden big enough for you to lose your guests in then there is the fun of a little ‘Alice in Wonderland’ exploring.

If you’d like to host some outstanding outdoor parties this season, you should try and achieve everything on our checklist.



My Garden Party Checklist

Tip 1: Make sure you pick up the right kit for your party, from practical outdoor dinnerware, outdoor décor to garden furniture. Go for things which are okay to be outdoors, so ideally waterproof and not easily ruined.

Tip 2: Invest in some plastic garden chairs available from a wide range of colours, shapes and sizes to suit your garden. If you want to push the boat out, why not decorate your garden with freestanding swing chairs, they are both trendy, space saving, and will create a focal point in your outdoor area.

Tip 3: Think about the look you are after, traditional or contemporary and go for a garden set with matching garden table and chairs that will give your party an air of elegance.

Tip 4: One thing you cannot go without in a garden is a chimenea. Not only are these great for keeping your guests warm, but you can whip out the marshmallows, graham biscuits and chocolates. Something everyone can get involved in and enjoy the yummy fun!

Tip 5: The next thing on your list should be modern and unique decorations. If you’ve gone for a vintage style, you may want to find some statues or even a water feature. Modern fairy lights and lanterns are great for ambient lighting too especially at dusk giving the gentle light you need to take your party in to the night. Check!

Invest in the best, it will last and you will become the garden party King or Queen who will forever reign supreme!

Will you be having a garden party this summer?
*Guest Post*
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26 June 2013

50 Things To Do Before You're 11 3/4

It really isn't long until the summer holiday. Apart from having our Bucket List to keep us entertained we are also going to be completing 50 Things To Do Before You're 11 3/4 provided by the National Trust.
Many of the things on the list we have done over previous years but I'd love to make the most of the great outdoors with the Mini Mes and do them all again.

If you haven't heard about the 50 Things To Do Before You're 11 3/4 list before you can find out more here:

We enjoy outside fun as a family and this is a great way to explore and be rewarded for doing so.
It encourages children to go outside even if it's a little wet or windy too!


1. Climb a tree 

2. Roll down a really big hill 

3. Camp out in the wild 

4. Build a den 

5. Skim a stone 

6. Run around in the rain 

7. Fly a kite 

8. Catch a fish with a net

9. Eat an apple straight from a tree 

10. Play conkers 

11. Go on a really long bike ride 

12. Make a trail with sticks 

13. Make a mud pie 

14. Dam a stream 

15. Play in the snow

16. Make a daisy chain

17. Set up a snail race 

18. Create some wild art 

19. Play Pooh sticks

20. Jump over waves 

21. Pick blackberries growing in the wild

22. Explore inside a tree

23. Visit a farm

24. Go on a walk barefoot 

25. Make a grass trumpet 

26. Hunt for fossils and bones

27. Go star gazing 

28. Climb a huge hill 

29. Explore a cave 

30. Hold a scary beast

31. Hunt for bugs 

32. Find some frogspawn 

33. Catch a falling leaf 

34. Track wild animals 

35. Discover what’s in a pond 

36. Make a home for a wild animal 

37. Check out the crazy creatures in a rock pool

38. Bring up a butterfly 

39. Catch a crab 

40. Go on a nature walk at night 

41. Plant it, grow it, eat it 

42. Go swimming in the sea

43. Build a raft

44. Go bird watching

45. Find your way with a map and compass

46. Try rock climbing 

47. Cook on a campfire

48. Learn to ride a horse 

49. Find a geocache

50. Canoe down a river


Which outdoor activities are your favourite?

I'm linking this with...
The theme this week is Green.



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25 June 2013

Watch Bake Create - Insects



 
This week focuses on insects and we have:

Watched Antz
Baked Worm Covered Cupcakes
Created Butterfly Stone Pets
 
 
You can grab the badge and link up any of your own Insect posts at the bottom.
 

Worm Covered Cupcakes



These delicious biscuit and sweet covered cupcakes are really simple to create and are ideal for themed parties and Halloween.


Ingredients
Cupcakes
2 eggs
4oz sugar
4oz self raising flour
4oz butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Decoration
5 1/2oz butter
1lb 2oz icing sugar
45ml milk
Oreo biscuits
Worm sweets




Method
  • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees
  • Combine all of the cupcake ingredients (butter, eggs, flour, sugar and vanilla) together in a bowl to create you cake mixture
  • Divide the mixture equally between 12 cupcake cases in a cupcake baking tray
  • Cook for around 12-15 minutes until risen and golden
  • Allow to cool
  • Create your icing by mixing together the icing sugar, butter (softened) and milk in a bowl
  • Apply to the cakes
  • Crumble up the Oreo biscuits and sprinkle over the icing to look like mud
  • Add your sweet worms on top
  • Scoff!


Butterfly Stone Pets


 
You can read more about our Stone Pets and how to make them just here:
 


  
Antz Movie



Ant worker, Z, has his heart set on Princess Bala and after swapping places with his soldier ant friend he finds himself on a wild adventure. He finally comes head to head with General Mandible who wants to liquidate the colony... will he save the day and his love?
 


 
If you have any Insect themed posts (crafts, recipes or activities) you can link them up below.
You can grab the badge code here too if you wish.

 
 

 
Next week the theme will be Owls.
 
 

*** WIN ***

Find Me a Gift have kindly provided some insect themed goodies to giveaway; a Bug Safari Naturalist Kit and some Toy Bugs!

You can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.
The giveaway closes on 23rd July 2013.




Good luck!

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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