Search Results for : advent

Adventures for children in Magaluf

 in Featured and Guest / Holidays abroad  tagged holidays by

Adventures for children in Magaluf
Magaluf, on the Spanish island of Majorca, is a holiday resort that is as much a destination for children and families as it is for the young adult crowd looking to party. From mainland Europe, flights to Magaluf really don’t cost a fortune, and in addition to the endless sunshine and family-friendly beaches, there are lots of activities for children to keep them entertained.
Let the kids run free at the Western Water Park and they’ll spend all day darting between the slides and attractions. With an Old West theme, there are rides like The Beast for thrill seeking youths who want a slide with a 30-metre drop or the family attraction Mega Slide, where riders raft down a 260-metre slide as a group. There’s also a diving show where kids can enjoy watching professional divers do tricks and flips in the air.
Looking to venture outside Magaluf? Then you might be interested in taking the Palma-to-Soller train, which is a day trip by way of vintage railroad through beautiful countryside to Soller. There aren’t many vintage trains still in operation and it’s a treat for children and adults to travel this way and feel like you’re journeying into the past.
If your children are interested in nature and want a break from the sunshine, there is an amazing cave near Porto Cristo called the Caves of Drach. The name translates to Cavern of the Dragon, which is sure to peak the kids’ interest and imaginations. Within the cave is a hidden lake considered to be one of the largest subterranean lakes in the world. Take a cave tour, which lasts about an hour and includes a classical concert on the lake, and enjoy the cool ambiance as the music bounces around this ‘cavernous’ space! There’s also a light show that imitates the sunrise and the chance to take a boat ride across the lake. A day at the cave is truly a magical adventure for children.
With such a variety of outdoor and inexpensive activities to choose from, parents can’t go wrong by booking a holiday Magaluf this summer and making some awesome memories to bring back home.

A Pause in Advent 5

 in a pause in advent  tagged a pause in advent / advent by

We watched Strictly Come Dancing the final last night and that was the straw that broke the camels back for me. I lost it, I started to cry and couldn’t stop. Strictly was one of my mums favorite programs, we had been to see the live show together and bought her a DVD of it for Christmas last year, which still remains unopened. She would have loved this years series and it was Mini commenting that Grandma had just given him a 10 for his show dance that set me off.

I am hoping that this coming week with the boys off school and no expectations can bring with it some peace.

A pause in Advent, The advent story for children 8

 in advent  tagged a pause in advent / advent / playmobil by

I think I have said in the past that I label myself as something of a reluctant worshiper. But you can not have Christmas without Christ and I also really enjoyed this time of year as a child growing up and going to Sunday school, so I make it my aim to teach the boys about Jesus, the Christmas and Advent.

Last year, the wonder Coffee Lady told me about a book called The Light in the Lantern, which is filled with short stories for advent. The stories are intended for reading aloud for children of school age and are perfect for sparking conversation about Advent. The are pretty short, but perfect for night time reading.

2011 Advent calenders and a Pause in Advent 14

 in advent by

We also have two more calenders to add to that this year, both in the same format of 24 little books, one is the nutcracker and the other the Christmas Story, which I hope the boys will become attatched to in the same way as I am to my calender.

Finally, as I am not really a scrooge the boys do both have a chocolate calender this year from Hotel Chocolat, who also do the most divine Christmas hampers too

A Pause in Advent – Peace 6

 in 2010 / a pause in advent / advent  tagged advent / advent 2010 / christmas / philips by

n. The absence of war or other hostilities. An agreement or a treaty to end hostilities. Freedom from quarrels and disagreement; harmonious relations: living in peace with each other. Public security and order: was arrested for disturbing the peace. Inner contentment; serenity: peace of mind. I hasve been trying hard this week to find peace in what is a very busy and hectic world at the moment.  I still dont have the conservatory roof fixed or a resolution with the insurance company on the electrical items, but we will get there. I have spend every spare moment doing something, including baking cakes for school parties, attending carol services and helping mum more »

A Pause in Advent Joy 7

 in 2010 / a pause in advent / advent  tagged advent / community / snow / weaher. joy by

joy / joi/ n. a feeling of great pleasure and happiness: tears of joy the joy of being alive. a thing that causes joy: the joys of Manhattan. v. [intr.] poetic/lit. rejoice: I felt shame that I had ever joyed in his discomfiture or pain. There is a real feeling of joy over adversity at the moment in the mad house.  We are all working hard to enjoy and make the most of advent, without making it a chore.  We are trying to find joy in the small things in our life, yes we have had enough of the snow, but it does make things feel clean and bright. We had more »

A Pause in Advent – Peace 12

 in a pause in advent / advent / advent at TheMadHouse / Christmas / spiritual  tagged advent / advent 2010 by

We had a pretty peaceful start to this week, as we had so much snow that the school was closed all week and MadDad struggled to get in to work.   We tried to make the most of each others company and use the time wisely. We really all enjoyed putting up our Christmas tree and inside decorations (there is far too much snow for the outside ones yet) and took pleasure in the simple things like hot chocolate and marshmallows. But the greatest lesson for me this week has been that peace is not something that is always an external thing.  We had a nightmare on Saturday morning when the heavy more »

Our advent activities, one mum creating traditions 12

 in activities for children / advent / advent calender  tagged advent activities Christmas by

As you probably gathered I believe in the wonder and joys of Christmas and want to welcome my boys to the warm arms of tradition.  I want them to relish advent each year, which is why I made our advent stockings last year. I wanted to make each day special in its own right, without is just being a countdown to Christmas day itself.   Write and post your letter to Father Christmas Help ice the Christmas cake Make Christmas cards Make shapes with the cookie cutters and playdough Make Christmas shrinky dinks Make paper snowflakes Go to Carol Service Colour in some Christmas pictures Make some Christmas fairy cakes Make paper chains more »

Advent Crown 8

 in advent / childrens craft / Christmas / Christmas traditions  tagged Advent crown / christmas / craft / oxfam by

A large part of simplifying Christmas for me is making it all about homemade. Homemade decorations and homemade gifts I am a great believer in that the simpler things are, the more effective they are.

One of the main ways we start the festive season is by making our advent crown or wreath. This is one of the many things I remember doing as a child, however, I remember the Blue Peter version of wire coat hangers, tinsel and open flames!!

A Pause in Advent – Joy 6

 in a pause in advent / advent / advent at TheMadHouse / advent calender / Christmas / Christmas traditions by

joy / joi/ • n. a feeling of great pleasure and happiness: tears of joy the joy of being alive. ∎  a thing that causes joy: the joys of Manhattan. • v. [intr.] poetic/lit. rejoice: I felt shame that I had ever joyed in his discomfiture or pain.  2009 has brought me lots of joy, I have shed the above tears and I have a family that brings me joy every day.  In the bible joy is more than an emotion it combines a sence of happiness with a state of blessedness.   For me this advent has been a time of biblical joy.  I have found the time to find more »

A Pause in Advent 6

 in advent / advent at TheMadHouse / Christmas / christmas decorations / Christmas traditions by

Well my pause for Advent this week has to be on the whole Nativity play in primary schools. MaxiMad is in Reception and his play Woops a Daisy Angel tool place on Wednesday and you can read all about it here.MiniMad is in Preschool (nursery), he is in the afternoon group, which are the youngest children in the school.  We went to his production on Friday afternoon and it was more than a joy to behold.  Unlike Maxi, he had been practicing his songs aloud for about 2 weeks and they were along a pretty traditional line, away in a manger, jingle bells etc. The most wonderful thing was that all more »

A Pause in Advent – Priorities 7

 in advent / advent at TheMadHouse / Christmas / christmas decorations / Christmas traditions by

“The Messiah shall come to Bethlehem – That prophecy soon will come true For Joseph is going to take me there And I know that my baby is due”. Today we will light the second candle on our advent wreath and discuss the shepherds and their sheep with the children.  I will be making cotton wool sheep with the minimads and we will have a quiet (we as quiet as possible with a 3 and 4 year old) family day. Christmas is creeping up on us this week and I have done my best not to feel overwhelmed by the things that often need to be completed before Christmas day.  I have more »

Egg Box Jingle Bells and Advent Poem 5

 in advent / advent at TheMadHouse / Age 2-5 / Age 5-7 / childrens craft / Christmas / Christmas Crafts / christmas decorations / Christmas traditions by

“Mary, I too saw an angel, And now we can marry with joy, I’ll care for you both, just as he said, And together we’ll bring up God’s boy”. The boys task for last night was anther craft, which I have seen out on the blog circuit, but can not for the life of me remember where, so I am sorry for not linking to it.  This is another really easy and inexpensive craft. Materials Egg Box paint Glitter String or ribbon Little bells (I bought a wreath full of the from Poundland) I cut up the egg cartons and the boys the little sections and then covered them in glitter. more »

Second day of Advent and Letters to Father Christmas 4

 in advent / advent at TheMadHouse / Christmas / Christmas traditions / Father Christmas / letter to father christmas / portable north pole by

An angel came to Nazareth A long time ago With a message from God in Heaven above To Mary on earth below “God sent me here to tell you” Said the glorious one “That you will bear a boy child And that child will be his son” The first task on the advent calender was to write a letter to Father Christmas.  Both boys took this very seriously, but only want the same things.  A box of Maltesers and a marble run!! MaxiMad decided to draw what he wanted I wrote MiniMads letter for him – he basically dictated it to me and then he put lots of stickers on it. more »

Advent Calenders a Plenty 10

 in advent by

Sound the Trumpets Beat the drums Advent is When Jesus Comes It feels as though I have been talking about it for week, but here it is in its old and tatty glory, my advent calender.  I won this aged 6 at Sunday School for a special drawing. I had to drag it off my mother when the boys were born as we all adore it and have searched high and low for a similar one to no avail. So the plan is to regale you with a poem and picture from it each day as it tells the story of advent.  It is such a nice way to discuss things more »

Children Craft Showcase Advent Angels 11

 in craft by

Week one advent is for the ascension when the angel Gabriel came and told Mary that she was to have Gods child.  So this week we made card angels. Materials Coloured card Glue Glitter Wool Scissors Pens   Draw around a plate on a piece of coloured card and cut out.  Then cut the circle in to a semi circle. Spread one half of the card with glue and sprinkle on slitter or decorations and leave to dry make a pattern with glue a long the curved edge of your remaining semicircle and add glitter or other decorations and leave to dry Draw a head (a smaller circle) on another piece more »

TheMadHouse Advent Calendar 17

 in advent / advent calender / handmade; homemade; crafts / homemade; crafts / sewing by

I have been a busy bee over the last week.  I have been making an advent calender for us, one that meets our needs and that I hope will be used for many, many years to come. I have been inspired by one I saw on Living with Kids, but of course my version is homemade and as inexpensive as possible.  I used a fleece from Ikea, little peg clips from poundland and everything else we already had in the house. I stitched 24 mini stockings, put some ribbon trim abound the top.  I then cut out 24 green felt stars which I stamped with the dates. I punched a tag out of more »

Advent Crown or Wreath 8

 in advent / advent at TheMadHouse / childrens craft / Christmas / crafting with children challenge by

  OK to start our traditions at Advent we are going to make a child friendly advent wreath or crown.  This is one of the many things I remember doing as a child, however, I remember the Blue Peter version of wire coat hangers, tinsel and open flames!! What I have tried to do here is design one that all the family can join in making and can be burnt at the dinner table each Sunday with supervision.   Materials Circle of card/I have used a cake tray under it as it is solid Salt dough Cookie cutter in a star shape Green Paint Gold paint Glitter Greenery 4 tea light or votive more »

Water Sports Your Kids Will Want To Try On Your Next Summer Vacation 1

 in Activities / activities for children / summer activities  tagged parenting by

Water sports are a great way to have fun, stay active, and get outdoors. Whether you’re looking for something to do on your own or with family and friends, there is no shortage of water activities for you and the kids to enjoy! From swimming to kayaking, paddleboarding to surfing – the possibilities are endless! We’ll look at some of the most popular water sports suitable for both children and adults. So whether you’re keen to explore new waters or just want an exciting activity in which you can make memories with loved ones – this list of fun water sports has something for everyone!