Little I is off on her first school residential next week. She will be spending two nights away from home staying in a yurt and having loads of fun with her school friends. This seemed an apt time to share the tips and tricks I have learnt over the past few years when packing for her big sister's residential trips.

We are delighted to be hosting the Bobby and Bubba’s Small Adventure’s Book Tour today!

If you haven’t heard of Bobby and Bubba Coombs where have you been?! They are an adorable pair of British (not French) Bulldogs who are more famous in Chelsea than Roman Abramovich.

This delightful book written by Bobby and Bubba’s Grandpa, Anthony Coombs, is full of charming and funny little stories written for children of all ages - so who better to review the book than my littlest who is about to turn nine… Little I over to you!

Christmas is just around the corner and this year I have decided to do a round up of the little gifts which make perfect Christmas stocking fillers for kids! I love the stockings more than the big presents. They are super fun to open and you never know what you are going to get (although it is essential mine includes a chocolate orange). Everything is available to buy online so you don't need to worry about the crowds during this very unusual year. 

The kids are FINALLY both back to school in a couple of weeks and now we know what they are and aren't allowed to take in with them we made our annual pilgrimage to Smiggle to chose some fun back to school essentials guaranteed to make the school run a little brighter. 

My kids grew up watching Paw Patrol, Shimmer and Shine and Dora the Explorer (my eldest spent most of her younger years shouting 'Backpack! Backpack!') so it is safe to say Nickelodeon is a firm favourite in this household. How wonderful it would be if those shows could be brought to life... Enter Nickelodeon Adventure which has just opened at Lakeside, Thurrock. We were very lucky to be invited to celebrate at the launch event of this brand new play space along with our Paw Patrol obsessed nephew Little A.

A high percentage of kids participate in extra-curricular activities at their schools and collages. As parents we recognise the value these activities bring to our children (plus it gives us a little more child free time!). Besides being a fun way to spend their time, after school clubs and classes are great learning, growing, and development tools for young kids and teens alike. I've prepared a list of extra-curricular activities that can help promote cognitive development in kids of all ages.

Can you believe the school holidays are nearly over?! Remember back to mid July when the weeks seemed to stretch ahead and now here we find ourselves starting a fighting over a seat in the shoe shop and googling which lunch boxes are heat/water/yogurt proof - which may be how you found this post. Here are my top back to school essentials to ensure a smooth return to term time routine.

Little E turned 8 last month and there was only one thing she wanted to do for her birthday: Go Ape.

We have a Go Ape centre close to us at Tilgate Park, Crawley and the Tree Top Junior course is suitable for children over 1 metre tall. E had chosen two of her school friends, two cousins and her little sister to join her on the course. For every two under 6yr olds one adult is required to participate. As Little I had just turned 5 Husband volunteered to join in the fun. You have to pay for parking at Tilgate Park so make sure you have change and allow plenty of time to find a space as it can be very busy at the weekends and during school holidays.

I am a huge for of the Leap Frog range of products to help children learn to read and write. My girls have both enjoyed using the range to aid their reading, writing and comprehension. I have an amazing LeapReader system to give away to one lucky reader.

Little E turned 8 and Little I turned 5 last week. I kinda need to do away with the ‘Little’ now don’t I?! Perhaps just for E as I can’t cope with the thought of my baby getting big! Within the space of 6 days we celebrate the following birthdays: Both my children, my Husband, my StepDad, my Dad and my Mum. Yes. I am speaking the truth! The rest of the year feels like a holiday in comparison to that one week in February...

Requested cakes this year were ‘a brownie tower’ and ‘orange with a horse on top’. I think I nailed both and I actually got to bed before midnight so I’m winning!

Happy Birthday my beautiful girls.