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Thursday 30 August 2018

5 Tips To Prepare Parents For School Life


For us the fun of the school run starts next week but as I recently went self-employed we've got into a bit of a relaxed routine.

Sleeping in later, getting to nursery when we feel like it and faffing around a lot!

We need to be organised and get into a routine! As a family we get a bit lazy and forgetful if we aren't sticking to a plan and schedule, so I'm getting organised ready for commencing the school run next week!

All my other school posts have been about preparing the kids but this post is for preparing us grown-ups! So, here are 5 things you can do to be prepared for school life!

1. Label clothes

Have you been so busy buying uniform and PE kit that you've forgotten the all important labelling? It's not too late! I used a stamp from Stamptastic, which I love but if you've not got time to order one have a look in your local school uniform shops for iron on labels. Many of them offer a service where they'll print your labels whilst you wait. Failing that a simple Sharpie or pen offer a quick fix!


Plimsolls next to a stamp and ink pad


Tuesday 28 August 2018

5 Budget Garden Activities


Entertaining children during the school holidays, or anytime for that matter, can be pricey.

If you're on a budget or simply don't fancy the stress of taking the kids out, I've put together five activities that are cheap and entertaining!

So, standby for some budget fun!!!

1. Bubbles


Lots of bubbles in the air


Sunday 26 August 2018

Return To Wray Castle



Unbelievably it's been over a year since we first visited Wray Castle. On our first visit we were really impressed by how child friendly it was. With it's baby and parent room, Peter Rabbit Adventure and soft play, Wray Castle makes visiting a historic place easy.

But nearly two years on does it still offer a happy kid friendly adventure?

Father and little boy standing in front of a gothic style castle


Friday 24 August 2018

Tips On Moving Overseas With Children



Collaborative Post

Are you planning on moving abroad in the near future?

There are many different reasons why families decide to move overseas. For some families it's for a better life for the children and for some it's a new job. No matter the reason for moving abroad, the whole process has to be done carefully, especially when children are involved.

View over a plane wing showing the edge of a country


Wednesday 22 August 2018

Getting Crafty With Printkick



Gifted

Here at Mummy Snowy Owl we love crafting. Whether it be for grown-ups or kids, we love to be creative.

Whether it be making something from scratch or a bit of colouring in we try and put some time aside each day to get crafty.

This isn't always easy though and not everyone wants to start making a spaceship out of toilet rolls when they get home from a day at work. If your budget allows though, the easy way around this is to buy kits and sets to help you get creative.

Places like Printkick offer a wide range of colouring kits including backpacks, fridge magnets and books, as well as mini brain teaser games.

I was recently gifted a box full of their goodies! Take a look at what was inside!  This is just a small sample of what Printkick have to offer.

Stationary, games and pens laid out


Monday 20 August 2018

Bug & Bee Home


Some items gifted for competition entry.

Bees and bugs are important to our gardens. Many of us know that bees help us pollinate our flowers and crops and bugs feed the birds and small animals like hedgehogs.

It’s easy to tempt little creatures into your garden. They simply need a warm and welcoming environment!

This easy to do bug and bee home craft involves recycled and natural items, making it even better for the planet!

Completed bug and bee home, 6 cans sprayed and glued together containing sticks, pine cones, string, flowers and grasses


Saturday 18 August 2018

How To Bag An Electrical Bargain!



Collaborative Post

Making large purchases can be a bit scary, especially when it comes to appliances or technology. There’s a lot to take into consideration and you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best deal for your money.

Do you want to make sure you’re getting the right item for a decent price? Here’s my top tips!

Decide what you want!

This sounds obvious but if you want a fridge, is that all you want? Do you want a fridge freezer? Do you want an ice maker? If you want a washer, do you want a washer dryer? Should it come with a child lock and a timer?

Open freezer compartment with tub of ice cream at the forefront


Thursday 16 August 2018

Making Moving Home A Little Less Stressful


Collaborative Post

Are you about to move house? Are you preparing to uproot your entire life and move across a street, town, city or maybe the country to make a new home elsewhere? When you've got a family take care of at the same time though, its a lot harder to do than some people realise, but it doesn't have to be an impossible feat.


Ariel view of suburban area


Monday 13 August 2018

Living DNA


Gifted

Family history and your ancestry can open up a door to the past that you didn't know existed. 

Tracking your ancestry through resources like birth, marriages and death records though can be costly and time consuming. You can sometimes only get so far and if you have a common surname there can be some stumbling blocks too! An alternative to the official records is an obituary search, which can often give you more information than just knowing when your ancestor died. For instance, you can find out how they lived, loved, and how they were remembered too. 

This is where DNA testing can help. A simple swab can give you a deep insight into your family tree. Living DNA goes deeper than any other company I've ever come across and can breakdown ancestry to 80 worldwide regions including 21 within the UK. 


The living DNA box along with leaflet, swap bag and tube


Saturday 11 August 2018

Summer Spotters



Here in the UK we have had a super hot summer but the nights will soon start to draw in and the weather will cool. Before the fun in the sun is all over though here's a little activity for the kids, Summer Spotters!

This is an ideal activity if you're going on a long journey or just want something that is free to do! 

So, can you spot the 10 signs of summer?

1. Clear skies and sunshine!

The UK summer isn't all clouds and rain, can you spot a clear sky and sunshine?

Blue skies, green grass and a small solitary cloud


Thursday 9 August 2018

Keeping The Cost Of The Family Holiday As Low As Possible


Collaborative Post

Summer vacations and holidays with the family are not cheap, are they? 

It's not just the cost of the vacation to think about, but also the spending money for when you are there, the holiday clothes and accessories, as well as the toiletries you'll need.


Pink suitcase filled with bright clothes, patterned shoes and sunglasses


Tuesday 7 August 2018

South Lakes Safari Zoo


Based in Cumbria, South Lakes Safari Zoo offers an experience different to many other zoos! Walk around many areas of the zoo and the animals will walk alongside you! Without fences!!

When we planned our visit to the zoo I wasn't really sure how I'd feel with the animals walking around, especially some of the larger birds and kangaroos, but our 4 year old was really excited about our latest adventure so I just had to be brave! 


Mum and son standing in front of giraffes


Sunday 5 August 2018

Lemon Curd Cupcakes


My husband is a huge fan of lemon cake. Unfortunately though, due to a strange allergy I have, lemon cake is something we rarely have in the house.

Back in May when I attended BlogOn, a bloggers conference, we were gifted a pouch of the Cake Angels lemon icing and when I got home my husband's eyes lit up! He's waited a while but I've finally got round to making some lemon cake!

You'll see from the recipe that there's no lemon zest or juice and that's so I can avoid handling it. I went with lemon curd as an alternative and easy option for lemon flavouring. 

These are the results and according to my husband they are the best cakes I've made! EVER!!! I will admit I had some help from our 4 year old though!


Four cupcakes on a wooden tray with one cut open


Friday 3 August 2018

Cost-effective Alternatives To Wood Flooring


Sponsored Post

For many people the height of interior design comes with the elegance of wood flooring. Whether you prefer a contemporary style or a more traditional decor for your home, wooden wooden floors can make all the difference.

There's no denying though that buying wood flooring can be very expensive!


Wooden floor scattered with toys

Wednesday 1 August 2018

3 School Prep Activities


It's already August and the new school year is just around the corner! For many of us it will be the first ever year of education for our children as they head into Reception class.

My last post about getting ready for Reception, Preparing Your Child For School, was quite popular so I thought I'd do another! 

These activities are aimed at helping your little one be ready and maybe a little more confident for starting school.

1. Writing and recognising their name

As I mentioned in my last post, teachers, teaching assistants and nursery staff have all told me that it's ideal if a child can write and pick out their name. That way they can name their work, sign themselves in on a registration board and pick out their school jumper from a pile.


Crayons, pencils, pencil case and notepad laid out with mummy, daddy and Joseph written on it in child like writing