There's been a flurry of children's books arriving chez C recently and it's been timed perfectly with Master C started at the school pre-school and a new rhythm to our days together. We have less than two hours at home together in an afternoon now before we have to head out again to pick up Little Miss C from school, and how to fill that time best has been a bit of a challenge. He needs a bit of down time and to zone out in front of the TV for a while, but I'm conscious that if I'm not careful the whole time can be spent like that, which isn't really what I want. Instead I'm trying to ... read more
When even the best budgeting doesn’t cover it
I am a firm believer in budgeting. Sitting down and working out exactly how much money you have and what you need to spend it on each month. I have a huge spreadsheet that I've been tracking all our monthly incomings and outgoings in for years now and it allows me to keep track of everything. To work out whether I need to find any extra money in a month or whether we can afford to save up for something. Yes, it takes time each month to do that and I do resent having to sit down and work my way through bank statements and make everything balance when I'd much rather be doing something else ... read more
Review: Brio Fire Station and Rescue Helicopter
In some ways Master C is such a stereo-typical boy. I never really got the boy / girl difference thing until I had one of each and the first time I found Master C crawling around the kitchen floor pushing a car in a way that I'd never seen Little Miss C play. It was really strange and almost a light bulb moment about the fact that boys and girls do indeed have something different inside their brains which means that they play in different ways. When it comes to emergency vehicles Master C is obsessed. If something goes past us on the walk to school with a siren or flashing lights then ... read more
Coronation Street: The Official Colouring Book – Review & Giveaway
There was a stage in my life when Coronation Street was pretty much part my religion. Back in the days before on demand TV I'd make sure I was sat on the sofa at 7.30 in an evening ready to hear that famous theme tune. In the rare event that I was out the video recorder would be set and I'd come home hoping that no one had recorded over it whilst I was out. As a Northern family we didn't really do Eastenders as that was full of Southerners and it was just all too gritty for us. And whilst Corrie was from the "wrong side of the Pennines" it still found a place in my heart for many, many ... read more
Review: Tile – the ultimate phone, wallet and everything finder
Back what seems like a lifetime ago I headed off into that there London to the PC World Currys Christmas in July event. As I've mentioned before, the goodie bag from that particular event was fantastic and, alongside my friend and newly recruited gadget reviewer Kyle, I'm slowly working through the contents and trying to get reviews up here. One thing that intrigued me in particular was Tile - described a bluetooth tracker that can help you find your keys, phone, or anything else that you may have lost. Now, the last tracker of any sort that I reviewed was one of those things that you ... read more
Ladybird Tuesday: ‘People at Work’ The Builder
Tuesday last week seemed to completely pass me by - I'll blame the change of routine for going back to school meaning that I'm still struggling to know what day of the week it is. Ladybird Tuesday is back though so this week we're going to have a look at The Builder, part of the People at Work series, 606B. Now, builders today are somewhat different characters to those in 1965 when this particular Ladybird book was written. For a start a couple of them in this book appear to be wearing a shirt and tie and there's not a white van in sight! Reading this book back now Ladybird really do ... read more
Peppa’s Alphaphonics Campervan
I'm pretty sure there isn't a child in the country that doesn't recognise Peppa Pig. Heck, my two seemed to know who she was before they'd even watched the programme on the television. No idea how, but that's the power of Peppa. We've had a few Peppa Pig related toys over the years and they've always been fondly played with by both children. What we've not tried before is linking Peppa in to a bit of learning, but that is what we were encouraged to do in reviewing Peppa's Alphaphonics Campervan - and what a mouthful of a name that is. Peppa's Alphaphonics Campervan is designed to help ... read more
Kubo and The Two Strings – Film Review
Mr C and I came out of Sunday morning's advance screening of Kubo and The Two Strings and both found ourselves a little bit speechless about what we'd just seen. Kubo is quite simply one of the most artistically stunning films I've seen in a long time, but boy is it dark too. Kubo is a small Japanese boy who lives with his ill mother in a cave just outside a small village. As a young baby he lost an eye at the hand of his Grandfather, Moon King. Every day Kubo goes into the village and tells magical stories mainly about a Samurai warrior called Hanzo (Kubo's missing father) that are acted ... read more
Sleeping rough in Senegal: how you can help the street children of Dakar
The idea of your child having to spend even one night away from your protection and the comforts of home might be traumatic, so spare a thought for the tens of thousands of youngsters who are sleeping rough night after night on the streets of Senegal’s capital city Dakar. These vulnerable children often lack access to the basics they need to stay healthy. Keep reading to find out more about their plight, and what you can do to help. Shocking statistics The charity Human Appeal, which is involved in a project to help these youngsters, states on its website that around 50,000 children are ... read more
The ultimate guide to designing a child’s bedroom
If you’re planning on giving your little one’s bedroom an overhaul, keep reading. In this guide, you’ll be able to find some useful design hints and tips on how you can transform your child’s sleeping space in style. The perfect theme Firstly, it’s important that you pick the perfect theme to carry throughout the room. Since most kids love bright colours and wild, funky patterns, there’s no reason why you should hold back when you’re deciding on your decor in this space. From the paint palette you go for, to the type of flooring you select, to the soft furnishings you include, there are ... read more