The kids and I have been enjoying this year’s series of The Great British Bake Off. E in particular is absorbing so much cooking knowledge and really becoming interested in what’s going on in our kitchen. But this week’s episode has left me concerned with the direction the series is going. Is watching someone (a very lovely, sweet lady) reduced to tears while being scolded by Paul because their Danish pastries should have been in the oven for another 2minutes really entertainment?

From daily muscle aches and pains to school run and exercise strains and sprains, the UK's No.1 Freeze brand Deep Freeze offer effective and convenient pain relief with the benefits of cold therapy. I have a bundle of Deep Freeze products to give away to one lucky reader.  

I turn 37 next week and to be honest I've been feeling a bit fed up lately. I think it is a bit of a post back to school low after such a busy September plus Husband's foot operation complications has been worrying me a bit. I decided a bit of TLC in the form of a new hair colour would cheer me up.

And it has. Hello Red.

Linking up to #mysundayphoto

I'm watching some fab TV this month, it's at the point where I'm staying up far too late just to squeeze one more episode in! The kids are still enjoying watching Bake Off which started last month and with Husband home after his foot operation we've been able to watch a lot more together in the evenings which is always nice.

Impatient kids complain about being bored an average of 122 times every month – that’s nearly 1,500 times per year - according to new research by BIC as part of its Young Artist Award  (It feels like double that in my household!). The study also revealed that 69 percent of us parents dread hearing the words “I’m bored”. But experts claim parents should be doing more to encourage boredom as mechanism to inspire creativity. We should be letting their minds wander rather than plonking them in front of the TV or electronic tablet.

Here are my screen-free top tips tips to help promote imagination and creativity in our kids.

Dry skin care treatment for children, Epaderm Junior is offering you the chance to win a bundle of Epaderm cream and emollient from their range worth £50 (RRP), with sizes to keep at home or great for your little one’s travel bag!

Science needs more women! So last month I took my girls up to London to visit The Science Museum in Kensington. Armed with technical backup from my 15yr old nephew, who has GCSE Science glory firmly in his sights, I was ready for serious questioning and expected to come away with a couple of budding physicists/biologists/chemists. First impressions of the museum was that is was a little dry for my 4 and 7yr old little ladies and I began to get slightly worried whilst wandering through the Flight gallery that we were gonna be done in record time. I'm not a teacher! I don't know how to make these static objects fun for my kids! Then I noticed a banner for Wonderlab: The best thing to do with your kids in London with kids. Sounded amazing. And, simply put, it is.

Today my blog turns 5yrs old. FIVE! Crazy. This has prompted me to stop and take a look at my year so far and see if I'm on course with one of my 18 goals for 2018 - to write more opinion pieces and generally have more of a personal voice and presence. After all this started as a pregnancy diary where I bared my soul, it needs to reflect me.

September = Back to school. Actually new schools for both the girls with Little E moving up to Junior School and Little I starting Reception at Infants. And I managed not to cry! It was also a month filled with birthday celebrations, lots of parties for the little ones and grown up celebrations with cocktails and whole pies. Then of course Husband's foot operation which has been rocky but it's lovely having him home all day.