I'm going to say it. I LOVE Christmas! I love all the build up and anticipation as it gets closer to the big day. The excitement of the build up and also how excited the kids get too. I love seeing all the decorations and Christmas lights and also hearing Christmas songs on the radio and festive carols playing. It's a lovely opportunity to spend time with family and friends and enjoy being with the ones we love. Even the Christmas edition of the Radio Times is somewhat magical in its own right. It therefore seems somewhat backwards that I also love the Grinch. This particular Mr Grumpy ... read more
Win Pass The Pigs and Pass The Pigs Party
What is it about pigs that makes then so damn cute? I know that they're animals that love mud and generally look rather dirty, but so many people love pigs, especially kids. As a child I remember being incredibly envious of a friend who had the Pass The Pigs game as it was quite simply so much fun. Pass the Pigs for Xmas! You’ll be snorting with laughter if you play with these piggy games for Christmas. The original party animals, Pass the Pigs, use hilarious pigs for dice. Will you roll a sider or start makin' bacon? Having fun with friends, on the road entertainment, or just chilling ... read more
Celebrating Christmas with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays
Christmas is going to be different this year. A different home. A different shaped family. But even with all the changes that have gone on over the last year some things will also remain the same - for the children's sake more than anything else. After a difficult year though (that shows no signs of getting calmer any time soon) I feel ready to pause the day-to-day madness and spend time with my family and celebrate the festive season. With December up on us and decorations up wherever you go I'm even starting to look forward to hearing Christmas music in the coffee shops I work in most ... read more
Free Christmas Dice Games
I think this is the year that my family has really got family games. Suddenly all the kids are just of the age where they can sit down at the table together and start to enjoy games and we've already had a couple of lovely evenings sat around playing things together and having a really good laugh in the process. They need to be tailored just right, so that they work for all three children, but they are a great way of bringing a family together and having some fun together. I was blown away recently by just how expensive some board games can be, so being the thrifty type that I am I've been ... read more
Sanitary Owl’s First Period Box from DAME
As women, do we talk enough to our men or daughters about periods? I'm not talking about trying to totally freak them out, but more about explaining the practicalities of them and what is available to use each month. I recently came across an interview with comedian Gary Meikle in which he talked about life as a single dad to his daughter. In it he mentioned how, when she started her periods, he realised that he knew nothing, and as a result he ended up asking the local shopkeeper for advice as to whether he should be buying tampons or towels for her. For girls, getting their period is an ... read more
Ladybird Tuesday: People at Work: The Road Makers
And we're back! There just aren't enough hours in the day right now to do everything I want to do. But, a big charity shop haul of new Ladybird titles as a gift from my OH has given me the kick up the backside that I somewhat need to get some Ladybird Tuesday posts written. After many hours recently on the UK's motorway network it seems somewhat appropriate to be back with The Road Makers from the People at Work series (series 606B). We've visited this series several times now on Ladybird Tuesday (The Fireman, The Builder, The Soldier, The Policeman, The Car Makers, In a Hotel) and it's one ... read more
The 12 Sleighs of Christmas – Sherri Duskey Rinker and Jake Parker
Everyone knows that it's the Elves who keep Santa in check and make sure that everything is in place so that Christmas Eve and present deliveries go without a hitch. The source or build the presents, wrap them all and make sure they're all delivered to the right addresses. Whole films have been set about the lengths that they'll go to make sure that no child goes without on Christmas morning. But, what about Santa's sleigh itself? Who makes sure that it's all ready for the mammoth journey that it has to do that night? Fear not - just like a well tuned Formula One pit crew the elves also ... read more
Zoggs DC Super Heroes Collection
As a parent you sometimes think that you know a brand. You've bought their products yourself and also seen them being used by other parents. It's a brand that you're happy to buy and happy to recommend. You know and trust them. Then, as a blogger, you get the opportunity to work with said brand and look forward to doing so as you've been a satisfied customer of theirs for years. You go along to meet the brand, her more about them and see their latest product lines and at that point they absolutely blow you out of the water. Pun very much intended as that's exactly what Zoggs have done this ... read more
Finding some UncommonGoods to gift this Christmas
The weather has turned. Halloween and Bonfire Night are over. The coffee shops have started selling their seasons drinks and sweet treats. Heck - the one I'm in has even just played Wham's Last Christmas! There's no denying it any more. It's time to turn our thoughts to Christmas and the gifts that we want to buy for our loved ones. Someone once told me that the best gifts are those that perfectly capture the recipient. Their loves and passions. What is special to them. And at the same time being something of a treat. The sort of thing that they wouldn't buy for themselves. Buying gifts for ... read more
Keeping Those Winter Wonderful Memories with Truprint #PicturesIntoPresents
One thing that I love about living here in the UK is the seasons. I just can't imagine living somewhere where the weather is the same all year round. By the time each new season rolls around I'm ready for it. Looking forward to the change and ready to embrace what comes along next. That's why winter for me is so special. After those cosy autumn evenings snuggled up as the weather starts to get colder there's something I love about the cold snap that signal's winter's arrival. As an outdoor lover I love going out with the family in those colder winter days when it's like the frost has taken ... read more