Christmas Gift Guide - Family Board Game (7+)

Item gifted for review purposes.

Welcome back to my Christmas Gift Guide.

The latest gift idea is the kind of gift I got regularly as a child but we don't seem to give all that often these days. As people try and breakaway from tech and have family time though, board games are making a comeback!

Googly Eyes is for those aged 7+ and is for 4 or more players, making it a great game for family time.

Cadbury World

After a busy summer and with Joseph now at school it seem ages since we've had a day out! So, with Daddy off over half term we made use of our time together and had a trip to Cadbury World in Bournville, Birmingham!

Christmas Gift Guide - For The Drink Connoisseur

Item gifted for review purposes.

Welcome back to my Christmas Gift Guide!

My gift ideas are going to start picking up pace a little now and will be posted more regularly! So, lets step up the gift buying with something a little different!

Charity Spotlight - World Cord Blood Day

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On the run up to Christmas people often begin to think about good and charitable causes and November is a month full of awareness days and weeks. With this in mind I've decided to pick one close to my heart and bring back my old Charity Spotlight feature. 

Writing about World Cord Blood Day takes me back five years! Back to when I was expecting out little boy! Wow, I can't believe it was that long ago?!

Christmas Gift Guide - A Gift For Babies & Toddlers!

Item gifted for review purposes.

Welcome back to my Christmas gift guide!!

This gift is one for the babies and toddlers in your lives!

Little ones can usually be easy to buy for and toys will probably be your go to but what if you want something a little different? Maybe the parents plead with you for no more toys and something educational as an alternative.

This is where Babel Babies comes in. A great alternative to a toy, their Sing Languages Together CD, brings multilingual music and stories together to learn, sing and play. 

November Giveaway!

October has gone and we are now well into November, so it's time for this month's giveaway! 

I'm excited to say it's a Christmas one! 

Lapland Mailroom

Item gifted for review purposes.

Christmas is a magical time for children and I love little touches that can add to the experience for our little boy.

Elf doors, magic keys and snowy footprints all make an appearance at our house. With our four year old, Joseph, a little older this year and understanding Christmas a lot more I also wanted to add a letter from Santa.

So, when I was contacted by Santa's elves over at Lapland Mailroom I was super excited! 

Heading over to their website to place my order, I was impressed by what I found.

Christmas Gift Guide - A Gift For The Foodie!

Item gifted for review purposes.

Welcome to my first ever gift guide!

As I mentioned in my Here Comes Christmas post, my gift guide is going to feature great gifts and will hopefully even give you ideas for the hard to buy for! 

This first gift is for the foodies in your life! Perhaps they've got all the tools of the trade and a ton of cookery books, so what can you get them?

These herb and spice gift sets from Steenbergs are sure to be loved by any food fan!

Here Comes Christmas!

November is here!!!

So, it's officially OK to talk about Christmas! Right!!??

Goodbye October

When I wrote Goodbye September I mentioned how busy it had been but looking back I feel like October was in the wings, chuckling away to itself thinking you've seen nothing yet!

It's OK To Say No!

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In the past I've shared my fertility and health troubles, and I've recently shared a guest post about Fibromyalgia too. Many of you have contacted me and said it's helped to explain to your family and friends how you feel and why some days are harder than others.

With this in mind I wanted to share another post before the Christmas rush, hustle and bustle start. I feel this is an important one and it's for everyone, not just those of us with chronic pain, Fibro etc. 

Whether you work full-time, part-time, are a stay at home parent, a full time carer, step parent or child free, this is important.

As we take a step nearer to Christmas and the craziness that surrounds it I say this..........it's OK to say no. 

Our Homemade Halloween Costume

Regular readers will know that when it comes to costumes I often knock something up myself, especially for World Book Day.

For Halloween though, Joseph has had some awesome bought costumes that were a bargain find from one of his aunties. Picked up for a few pence he's been a cute spider and a scary skeleton! This time though I wanted to have an attempt at making him something.

5 Budget Activities For Halloween

Halloween is now a matter of days away!! 

My Favourite Halloween Bakes & Crafts

Over the past few years I've written and created lots of Halloween posts. With lots to make and bake, most are budget things to try at Halloween and as lots of you love them I thought I'd share my favourite ones here for you so you don't need to search around anymore!

My Favourite Spooky TV Shows For Halloween

I love a bit of spooky viewing and as I've recently shared my favourite spooky movies I thought it was time to tell you about my favourite TV shows too! 

Cinnamon & Sultana Cookies

Cookies. Chocolate chip, fudge, cherry, we love cookies. We probably love them enough to rival the Cookie Monster!!

When I bake cookies I'm always the best mummy and wife ever, and I also become very popular with family and friends. I decided I wanted to try a new recipe and I'm glad I did as these are yummy!

Halloween Spotters

Halloween and half term are just around the corner! So, if you're looking for something to do, this Halloween spotting activity is ideal!

Just like our Autumn, Spring and Summer spotting activities just keep an eye out for the things on the list and tick them as you go!

First.....

Pumpkins

Things I Want You to Know as a Fibromyalgia Sufferer

Many of you will know that I have Fibromyalgia. As a condition it can be hard to describe how it effects you and how it makes you feel.

Door Furniture Direct

Gifted

I love a good furniture project and since discovering a local shop stocked a well known chalk paint last year, we've given quite a few pieces of furniture makeovers!

Cabinets, chairs and dressing tables have all had a coat of paint. This time around we've painted our bedside tables.

Gruesome Eyeball Cakes

With Halloween fast approaching I thought it was time for a new bake! 

As usual it's an easy but effective bake.

CareCo Resistance Band

Gifted

As a sufferer of Fibromyalgia strengthening my body is important to me. 

Exercise and better eating can help many of those struggling with Fibro, as can strengthening the joints and core. Things like yoga and exercising and stretching with a resistance band can be hard work to begin with but eventually make you strong.

I've had a few Fibro flares recently and I've been quite wobbly on my feet so I've been trying my best to make myself stronger.

To do this I've been using one of the CareCo Resistance Bands and following their 4 week plan.

October Giveaway!

We've said goodbye to September and as October gets into full swing it's time for another giveaway!!

Lots of you loved the last one so I've decided they are going to be a monthly occurrence! 

For this month's giveaway I thought we'd stick to the crafty items but as it's my birthday month it should obviously have a hint of Disney!

This month's giveaway is a Winnie the Pooh craft goody bag!

Brain Jelly

Halloween is on it's way! Whether your plan to go trick or treating or have a big party, this brain jelly is an ideal little treat for Halloween.

Autumnal Activities

I don't know if it's the comedown of the long hot summer, or the excitement for Christmas but so many people seem to be excited about autumn.

Halloween Haul

Autumn is one of my favourite times of year, with the other being Christmas! 

I like to feel the air cool, see the leaves fall and the nights draw in. I probably also like autumn as it brings my birthday month and because I love Halloween! 

Combine that with my love of bargain shopping and I bring you my first ever Halloween haul!!!

First, is this ghostly wreath.

Goodbye September

I've never done one of these month in review type posts before but it's been a hell of a month, so I thought I might. Maybe it'll be therapeutic? Who knows!!?

September has been very up and down, not just for me but for us as a family. Some of it is just too personal to share.

Dealing With Childhood Eczema

I know to well what it can be like to have eczema. Growing up I often had irritable patches, which were sore, painful and, as a teenager, a little bit embarrassing.

It was something I certainly didn't want for my little boy but unfortunately it happened, and it happened very early in his life. At his two week check up the Health Visitor noticed some dry patches on his skin. She told me to stop using certain products and to go soap free, which we did. Yet, it still got worse. Much worse. 

I really felt like I'd let him down, especially when some of his skin got infected. After some back and forth with the GP until he was around 5 months old, we were referred to the hospital to see a specialist. 

Our Favourite Disney Rides

Regular readers and those that follow me on social media will know that I love Disney and I'm lucky that my family do too.

5 Easy Self Care Moments

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Whether you work full-time, part-time or are a stay at home parent, life can throw a lot at you. 

If you start to feel a little bogged down and that everything is getting a bit much its important to take a step back and have some time to yourself. Maybe act as your own therapist. Being busy and stressed though doesn't always make this easy, so here are five easy self care things to do. Little moments for you.

Have a cup of tea and a slice of cake

Us Brits love our cups of tea and we're fond of a piece of cake too! In times of crisis we often dish out cups of sweet tea, like a band-aid to fix everything, no matter how big of small.

Grofresh Kitchen Garden Update!!!

Gifted

Growing food or herbs at home can be hard if you're limited for space or have no garden at all. It can be even harder in winter! 

BlogOn Toys Goody Bag Haul

Press Trip Gifted

Have you ever wondered what people get in event goody bags?

Maybe you're a blogger and you've wondered whether the hype of the BlogOn goody bags is all it's lived up to be!

Well, now you can find out and as you can see its quite a haul!

September Giveaway!

Many of you will know that I love a good bit of crafting! I'm always conscious though that crafting can be expensive, so I try my best to keep any crafts that I share on my blog as low budget as possible. Luckily, that's something I have experience of from being a Snowy Owl! 

Crafting with little ones is a great way for them (and you) to practice your creative skills. It can also help fill the time on those long parenting days!

This month's giveaway is to help you all get a bit crafty with the kids, as I'm giving away a Giant Box Of Craft from Hobbycraft! 

Dream Home Wishlist - Orangery

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I need to confess something. I have a habit of searching Rightmove and looking at properties I can’t afford. I consider what furniture I’d have and where I’d put it. I pick which bedroom our son will have and check if there’s space for a hot tub. I even check the school catchment areas.

Yes, I realise I may have a problem!

Since going self-employed my secret habit has worsened and spread over into what I watch on TV. I’ve found myself having the TV on in the background and more often than not a property programme is on the screen! Homes Under The Hammer, My Dream Home, reruns of Location, Location, Location are regulars in my viewing!

Now and again I also buy a home and interiors magazine to have a flip through, and again look at things I can’t afford.

Painting With Leaves!

Inspired by our recent Mud and Bloom box we've recently tried painting with leaves! This is another craft that is ideal for autumn, especially with the leaves falling!

Here's our little creation!

Autumn Tealight Holders

Leaf tealight holders seem to have been on Pinterest since it began!! 

I've tried to make them once before with real leaves and it was a disaster! They wouldn't stick and/or fell apart. It was one big sticky mess!

So, when I spotted a pack of fake leaves at The Works I thought I'd give them another go! Here's the results!

Autumn Wreath

I've already mentioned my love of autumn in my last post but in case you missed it I'll tell you again! I LOVE AUTUMN!

The cooler months, the falling leaves, the downward slide into Christmas, I love it!

So many of you loved my Flower Wreath that I thought I'd create another with a touch of autumn! So, here it is!

My Favourite Spooky Movies For Halloween

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The kids are back at school, the weather is cooling and we start to look towards autumn. For me, autumn is one of my favourite seasons, with the other being winter, because, well Christmas!

I love autumn because not only does it bring my birthday and Halloween, it also means its socially acceptable to be inside, snuggled under a blanket, eating yummy treats and watching the TV!

Whether you're the type of person that streams their viewing on a tablet, sticks to Freeview and a standard TV or pays for a subscription service and watches on something fancy, maybe a 4K HDR TV by Panasonic or the like, there's plenty to watch on the run up to Halloween.

Goodbye Preschooler

A few hours ago I made a complete fool of myself on Instagram stories. I cried. A lot. No doubt some people rolled their eyes and skipped passed but for me it was an intimate and vulnerable moment I chose to share.

I hadn't intended to cry. I expected to perhaps feel a little tearful but once I started there was no going back. 

The reason for my tears, tears that I'm still fighting back as I write this hours later, is that my 4 year old son starts school tomorrow and I'm heartbroken.

This is the boy I waited 6 long years for. 6 very difficult, hard, excruciating years for.

How To Get The Best Character Interactions At Disneyland!

Many of you will know that we love Disney! The movies, TV shows, toys, clothes and the parks! We love it all!!

We're incredibly fortunate to have taken our 4 year old son to Disneyland Paris twice but for now our Disney holidays are on hold and we are on the big save to go to Walt Disney World!

It's going to take a LONG TIME but we hope to take him in 3 years, although it's highly likely to be much later than that! 

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!

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

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?

Tips On Moving Overseas With Children

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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.

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.

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!