Monthly Archives: August 2014

How to allow individualism when your kids wear school uniform 20

 in parenting  tagged back to school / individualism / school by

The school that the boys goes to have a school uniform policy and they are pretty strict with it.  Grey or black trousers, red or white shirts or polo shirts and a red jumper or cardigan.  They have to wear black shoes and PE kit is red shirts and a white T Shirt. I am a fan of school uniform for the following reasons: Uniforms cost less overall There is no worrying about what to wear each morning Children are easily identified as belonging to that school Encourages discipline Uniforms can be recycled and passed down. But I also feel that a uniform can detract from a kids unique identity,  So I more »

Asda saves the day with Click and Collect 9

 in shopping  tagged asda / click and collect / review / Shopping by

Off days, we all have them. Well I think we all have them. I have had an off couple of weeks. The last couple of weeks of the school holidays have been something of a challenge for me. I contracted a virus which for some reason affected by joints and left me pretty much unable to walk. I am getting better slowly, but have walking sticks and a lot of pain. Now you can imagine this has been hard on all of us. I am really lucky that my boys are eight and nine and pretty capable kids. They have lots of friends that live nearby and have had a couple more »

Tips for preparing for going back to school after the holidays 15

 in parenting  tagged #backtoschool / back to school / organisation / parenting tips / school by

For me and the boys the hardest part of going back to school is reestablishing a good bedtime routine and time after the more relaxed days and nights of the holidays, however, I find that with some planning and preparation I can ease the transition back to school with the ideas below.  This makes going back to school so much easier for the kids and therefore, me.

A weeks school lunch Bento Box ideas 15

 in parenting  tagged back to school / bento box / food / school by

Just because my kids eat school dinners doesn’t mean that they don’t need a packed lunch occasionally and I have been a fan of Grace at Easts Amazing for a long time.  Her lunches looks fantastic and really aspirational, however, as you can see from the fab post from Grace below they are easily achievable with some planning using what you have in your home. Allow me to introduce myself – I’m Grace, mum of two boys, and I usually blog over at Eats Amazing, where I share ideas and inspiration for presenting healthy children’s food in new and exciting ways. I’m probably most well-known for the creative bento-style lunches that more »

The benefits for your child from eating school meals 19

 in parenting  tagged back to school / school dinners / school lunches by

I am a huge believer in school meals.  My boys have both had school lunches since they started school and I firmly believe that there are huge benefits for kids from eating school dinners. Free school meals for infant aged children in England   As from this September all infant aged children in England (reception, year 1 and year 2) are entitled to free school lunches.  For me this would be a saving of over £900 (although my boys are older).  This was piloted in Durham and was a big success.  Children in the pilot areas quickly moved ahead of their peers elsewhere, by almost a term.  Hungry children can’t concentrate and more »

#CapriSunSchool Twitter Party – Friday 29th August 2014, 1-2pm

 in parenting  tagged back to school / caprisun / caprisun pencil case / twitter party by

Do you love a good Twitter Party?  You know we do and we’re excited to host a party about your back to school lunchbox ideas.  On Friday 29th August at 1pm BST, please join us for the#CapriSunSchool Twitter Party where we’ll be discussing juice drinks and how they can be incorporated into your back to school routine and healthy lunchboxes, and giving you a chance to win prizes!

Loo Roll Balloon Rocket 10

 in crafts  tagged craft / junk modeling / kids craft / loo rolls / rocket / science by

Did you know that you can turn a loo roll into a roket that actually flies.  Seriously you can. Just read on to find out how! Now loo rolls are something that I have a lot of in our junk modeling box otherwise known as the recycling bin and as it isn’t bin day till next week, we thought we would spend the afternoon making our own loo roll rocket. But my boys do love to challenge me and they insisted that our rocket actually move!  How to make a loo roll rocket that flies 

Encouraging learning at home 17

 in parenting  tagged #backtoschool / back to school / homework / learning / parening / school / tutoring by

I have blogged previously that we are not big fans of homework here in the mad house, however, I am aware that it is going to become a necessary evil for my boys in the years to come and we have made the decision that from this year (year 5, aged 9/10) we are going to encourage Maxi to learn at home and do any allocated homework.

First day of school photo ideas 17

 in school  tagged back to school / first day of school / memories / school / traditions by

How to you record your kids first day of school.  Since mine have been small I have taken a picture of them all decked out in their uniform with a list of their likes.  I love capturing all that first day excitement with my boys and it is a great way to see how much they have changed year on year.   So I have put together a great roundup of ways to record that first day at school.

#Mums4Tommys Twitter Party – Tuesday 26th August 2014, 1-2pm

 in parenting  tagged #mums4tommys / cbias / percil / social fabric / sofab / twitter party by

Do you love a good Twitter Party?  You know we do and we’re excited to co-host a party about taking care of your baby’s skin as well as their clothes.  On Tuesday 26th August at 1pm BST, please join us for the #Mums4Tommys Twitter Party where we’ll be discussing how laundry detergent and fabric softener is an important choice for your baby, and giving you a chance to win prizes!

Back to school link up 2014 4

 in parenting  tagged back to school / first day of school / school by

Along with Cass from Diary of a Frugal Family I am hosting a back to school link up for the next three weeks. We would love for you to join in with us and link up any back to school posts you may have over the coming weeks. At the end of the series we will be sharing with you are favorite posts and also pinning them to our back to school and all things school pinterest boards. We have a great selection of posts over the coming weeks to help you in the build up to the first day of school. If you do join in we would love for you to more »

How to make your garden kid-safe

 in Featured and Guest  tagged garden / how to / kids safe by

Gardens are a great addition to the home; they allow kids to enjoy the outdoors and get valuable fresh air without being exposed to the dangers of the outside world. They are also a great way to introduce kids to the world of nature and perhaps even horticulture. Gardens however can be a dangerous place for kids if the right precautions are not taken. From the dangers of falling into ponds to harmful and poisonous plants there are many potential perils lurking in the garden environment. Here are some helpful tips to ensure your kids can enjoy your outside space without succumbing to any harm. Keep them from wandering off Firstly more »

Decorating shoes with fabric pens. A perfect tween craft 17

 in crafts  tagged boy crafts / kids activities / kids craft / teen craft / tween / tween craft by

I love crafting and art.  I would do something everyday of I got the chance.  This week we managed to grab a full day with Frugal Family and after spending the morning at the Skate Park we had a crafty afternoon decorating plain white pumps with fabric pens.  This is the perfect craft for tweens and teens.

Ribby Hall Holiday Village 16

 in holidays / UK Holidays  tagged Blackpool / holidays / JUly 2014 / review / ribby hall / weekends away by

During 0ur recent weekend at Blackpool we stayed at Ribby Hall Holiday Village which is ten minutes outside of Blackpool and is amazing.  For us it was much better than staying on a B&B or a hotel as we had the freedom to come and go as we likes, plus coupled with fab onsite activities  and leisure pool it has something to suit every family. Accommodation