Movie of the week!

Wow the week's are flying by and its time again for movie of the week!

This week's movie is a Disney Pixar classic. Loved by many, this film is one of our all times faves!

This week's movie of the week and the film we're watching on repeat this time is Toy Story 3!!

Spooky Mummy Biscuits

Halloween is days away and you've decided to join in the fun. Do you want to get creative? Well, here's a low cost, super easy activity for you!

Book of the week!

Wow! Where did the week go! It's time again for.......BOOK OF THE WEEK!

This week's book is a little different. There's no dinosaurs, no furry creatures having adventures and shockingly it isn't a hand me down!!! It is, however, incredibly educational and contains a lot of fruit and veg!

This week's book of the week is How Things Grow.

Movie of the week!

Just like last week's movie of the week we've gone a bit witchy! This witch though is probably one of the most famous of them all, as is the movie in which she features! 

This week's movie of the week is.....The Wizard of Oz!

Sleep soundly with the ResMed S+

Millions of people struggle to sleep. Whether it be stress, pain or insomnia, there are plenty of reasons behind a broken nights sleep, but can a better understanding of your sleep pattern help?

I was recently offered the chance to try the S+ device by ResMed.

The sleek looking device works with an app on your phone to monitor and assess your sleep patterns, giving daily and personalised feedback.

Book of the week!

Welcome to this week's book of the week!

This week's book is one that we've had on the shelf for a little while but not read until this week. 

You're All My Favourites by Sam McBratney tells the story of a family of bears. 

Movie of the week!

Yes, its that time again! Time for a brand new movie of the week! 

This week's movie is one of my all time faves! A film that I watched and loved when I was younger and bought on DVD as a grown up! As Halloween draws nearer its also the best time to watch it!

This week's movie of the week is Hocus Pocus!

Belton House

Built in the 1680's for Sir John Brownlow, Belton House is described as 'a classic country house' by the National Trust. Set in 1300 acres of land it offers beautiful grounds, which are just waiting to be explored and enjoyed. 

Belton House is around an hours journey from where we live in Nottingham, so it's on our radar for days out, especially as we're National Trust members. Back in June, with nice weather forecast, we set out for our first visit! 

Book of the week

Have your ever wanted to go on an adventure around London? Maybe on the back of a lion?

Well, you can with this week's book of the week!

Katie in London is the story of a little girl and her brother, Jack, and their amazing trip around the city!

Movie of the week!

Our 3 year old, Joseph, has a new found love for dinosaurs and Lego style movies. Put the two together and what do you get? 

Legoland Windsor

Based in Windsor the Legoland resort offers 55 rides and attractions. Aimed at children from 3 to 12 it offers a range of different themes, including vikings, ninjas and Star Wars.

Book of the week!

Our book obsession continues with a brand new book of the week! 

Its another Thomas related book but this time it comes with sound effects! 

Thomas and Friends Noisy Sound Book is a story of the famous Thomas the Tank Engine and his friend Bertie, and you can puff along with them on their adventure by pressing the button within the book. 

Movie of the week!!!

Yes, it's back!! Just like book of the week the rainy days and lack of sunshine have brought about the return of movie of the week!

Now as a non-Disney film (shock horror) this wouldn't usually be a first choice in our house. I always feel a bit of betrayal when we watch an animation which doesn't feature the famous castle in the open credits! In fact when Joseph was a bit younger he used to shout no if a film didn't show said castle, but if any film was going to change our minds it would be this one, making it our current fave. 

This week's movie of the week is Trolls! 

Book of the week

Books, books, books. We are back in love with books!! So its time again for book of the week!

This week its a book bought for our 3 year old, Joseph, by his grandma. 

Written by Margaret Mayo and Alex Ayliffe, Stomp, Dinosaur, Stomp, opens with two pages of dinosaurs, their names and how to pronounce them. 

Keep Calm and Eat Out

Going out to eat should be a relaxing time. A break from routine. A treat for the family. Bring children into the mix though it can turn into a stressful and unpleasant experience.

So, how can you make it enjoyable and relaxing? Especially when you have a toddler or preschooler in the mix?!

Book of the week!

Wow! Where did the week go? It's already time for a new book of the week!

This week brings another hand me down, and this time it's an educational one!

Book of the week

Yes, that's right, the 'book of the week' feature is back! 

With many a rainy day the books are back off the shelf and being put to good use! And we've also had another stack of hand me downs, which seems to have re-sparked the book worm in our 3 year old, Joseph! 

He's especially took an interest in a lovely Thomas the Tank Engine library set. His current fave is all about Rusty, which before now we hadn't come across. 

Making An Enchanted Rose!

Who loves a bit of Disney?? If you raised your hand and said "ME!", this craft is definitely one for you to try. Even if you're not that crafty it is super easy, like really, really easy and possibly the easiest craft I have ever done!

Choo choo - Our trip to Thomas Land!

Earlier in the year when our thoughts turned to Joseph's 3rd birthday we knew early on what we wanted to do for his birthday. He would have the usual family party but on his actual birthday we wanted to do something, just the three of us, and go somewhere we hadn't been before.

We wanted to go to.....................THOMAS LAND!!!

10 Things That Make Me Happy!

It feels like ages since I've blogged and although I've got lots of ideas and things to say, I've pondered about which to share with you first. So, I thought I'd go with 10 Things That Make Me Happy following the tag by the lovely Laura of  Wafflemama fame!

Laura tagged me in her post a while ago and I thought it would be perfect to get restarted! 

So here we go.....

1. Joseph
Some days maybe hard but this kid was worth the 6 year wait. He is funny and lovable. I love him more than I ever thought possible.

Being More Positive!

It's easy to be negative. Moaning, complaining, glass half empty, not half full type of person. 

I'm one of those people. Glass half empty. Moaning Myrtle. Negative Nora. 

Well, I was until very recently, as I suddenly became very aware of how negative I was being. 

Whatever happened to Mummy Snowy Owl?

I've been a bit slack on the blogging front over the last week or two, but its not that I've lost my mojo again. 

The opposite in fact as I've got lots to share! It's simply that we've been concentrating on other things. 

Having family time, days out, celebrating birthdays and enjoying the temperamental British summer! 

A unique gift - Twenty Fingers Review & Giveaway

I like to think of myself as a good gift giver. I love to give thoughtful gifts and, often, unique gifts. I search for individual and different things to give, and I keep a list of things that people mention they need or would like and make use of it for birthdays and Christmas'. I was keen to follow this through for Father's Day and, along with our handmade gift, I wanted to get Daddy something very special. 

So, when Twenty Fingers contacted me and asked me what I thought of reviewing one of their creations I jumped at the chance!

Twenty Fingers is a family run business based in Milton Keynes offering unique and personalised gifts, with papercuts being their specialty. I had seen papercut art before but nothing like the impressive creations of Twenty Fingers!

When I first looked at their website I was bowed over by their intricate designs and attention to detail. How could these pictures be created with paper?

Be Father's Day ready with Hallmark!

Living in a busy, and currently, eventful world its easy to forget about special occasions. Birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day and Father's Day, all come around so quickly. Before you know it the days are upon us and we don't have gifts and cards. Or maybe like me, you concentrate on getting an incredibly thoughtful gift for the Daddy of your children but forget about your own Dad!

So, if you're reading this and a panic has swept over you! Don't worry! It's quite possible that Hallmark have got you covered! 

First, I have a confession to make. Personally, I always thought Hallmark were expensive, but I've been proved wrong! I was lucky enough to be sent a selection of the items on offer this Father's Day and I am honestly so impressed by the quality and value for money. 

A Canvas For Daddy

My husband, Joseph's Daddy, loves our little ginger hurricane and proudly shows photographs to family, friends and work colleagues. He also displays Joseph very sulky nursery photo on his toolbox at work for all to see! So I wanted to make him something this Father's Day that he can place next to that sulky picture and be equally proud of. 

I remembered that he really liked a craft we did on the run up to Christmas and casually commented that 'he wouldn't mind one'. So we decided to do it again but tried a different, more effective, technique so I was keen to share it with you on the run up to Father's Day. 

Can we stop with the bitching?

Women. Mothers.

We give sympathetic looks to the new Mum trying to get round the supermarket with a screaming newborn. We openly tell each other our birth stories having only met minutes earlier. We befriend each other over Instagram and Mummy forums. We drunkenly hug strangers and mop up their tears whilst in the loos on a night out. 

Charity Spotlight - Tiny Tickers

As May comes to a close it is time to share a newly discovered charity with you. The charities I choose range in size but their popularity though doesn't matter to me. What matters is the amazing work that they do.

Tiny Tickers is one of those charities. 

Lets Flip Out Giveaway!

Trampolining has gained huge popularity over the last couple of years, with more and more venues popping up around the country.  Unlike the freestanding trampolines from your school days these venues offer enclosed arenas.

Spring Pine Cones

I'm not into bright colours. I'm the type of person who's outfits are mostly black. The one who's home interior is neutral.

But just lately I've felt the pull of the brightness of spring shades and I've been on the look out for easy and affordable ways to bring spring into our home. 

During our recent visit to Sherwood Pines Gruffalo hunting Joseph and I felt the need to collect a few pine cones, much to Daddy's annoyance! Pine cones are easily associated with Christmas and the festive period but why not give them a spring makeover? 

Gruffalo's Day Out

From the usual scrolling of social media I discovered that there's currently something afoot in the deep dark words, as adventures are lurking and there's Gruffalos to be found!

Movie of the week

This week's movie of the week is actually a selection of shorts. Featuring some well loved and known characters, but in a Lego animated format, these shorts are the type of film/program you can pop on when you want to pee in peace or make a cuppa. 

This week's movie of the week, and therefore the thing we are currently watching over and over with our two year old son, is Frozen: Magic of the Northern Lights.

Movie of the week!

This week's movie of the week, unlike most of our previous ones, is a current, still at the cinema movie! It also involved Joseph's first trip to the cinema!

This week's movie of the week is Peppa Pig: My First Cinema Experience! 

Charity Spotlight - Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Where did my mojo go go?

It's been over two weeks since my last blog. The reason being that I seem to have run out of ideas. Don't get me wrong, I have always been indecisive but lately its gone to a whole new level. What to craft, what to write about and even what to have for tea and which loo roll to buy have been a struggle.

Unable to decide on what to write and with no creative juices following I've struggled to blog. Part of me has wanted to stop altogether. So, when the time came for me to submit my monthly post to meetothermums.com I faulted. No idea what to write and basically no ideas. I emailed the lovely Sally over at MeetOtherMums and explained how I felt, apologising for the lack of post this month.

Easter Wreath

Have your children started their Easter break? Want a craft to fill the time? Do you want to decorate for Easter? Well, if you liked the Easter Bunting you'll love this too! 

What to do when there's nothing to do.

We've all been there. It's raining. Pay day is further away than you'd like. You're stuck inside with the kid(s) and there's no escape. Need to hurry the time along? Try one of my something to do when there's nothing to do ideas!

Make a den – Sheets, sofas and cushions can create all manner of adventures and hideouts!

Bake and cook – Check what you have in the fridge and cupboards. You might have enough to whip up a batch of fairy cakes or jam tarts. 

Movie of the week!

The greatest stories are told, retold and told again. Albeit a children's film this week's movie of the week is based upon a Shakespearean tale of two star-crossed lovers.

This week's movie of the week is Gnomeo and Juliet!

Book of the week!

This week's book of the week is a former bedtime favourite, that's become a regular read again.

This week's book of the week is Penguin. 

Easter Bunting

Have your children started their Easter break? Want a craft to fill the time? Got toddlers who love to paint? Do you want to decorate for Easter? Well this Easter bunting craft is for you!

Movie of the week!

On Friday morning in the rush to get out the door Joseph and Daddy walked into our bedroom to the tune of an oh so familiar tune. Clutching Daddy's phone Joseph climbed on to the bed and started to bounce as he shouted "DOG, DOGGY". I soon realised he was watching Netflix and two of my favourite characters! Wallace and Gromit!

This week's movie of the week is Wallace and Gromit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

Book of the week!

This week's book of the week is the kind of book I like, as not only is it a push, pull and slide book but it's also a board book. I especially like board books as it means you don't need to have eyes in your backside when the little darlings are looking at them!

This week's book of the week is Busy Fire Station!

Super bright and colourful it shows the hive of activity of a fire station. As the alarm sounds the firemen rush to those in need. Pull the tab and they whiz down the pole.

The fire engine makes it way through the busy traffic and you see it over take the cars as you pull the tab.

There's also added questions on each page, like how many helmets can you see and what colour is the fire engine, making the book a little interactive as you read through it.

At £2.99 Busy Fire Station is a bargain and a great little board book for your collection, especially if they are obsessed with 'nee-naws' like Joseph currently is!

Ours was a gift from Granny but you can get a copy from Amazon.

Enjoy!

Mummy Snowy Owl
x

A Healthy Mummy Update!

This week has been surprisingly harder than the first and I have struggled a lot. 

The medication I've been given feels like it is making its way into my system but is making me exhausted. I have tried though to busy myself to avoiding dropping to sleep in the day but then find myself wide awake at night.

The end of the week was a bit of a struggle at work. At times it was a fight to keep my eyes open but within this there was a small achievement. Normally you see I'd have necked coffee to keep me going but I didn't. I'm sticking to what the GP said and am giving it a wide berth! My boss may have started singing to check if I was awake or not as I sat with my head back 'looking at the ceiling'.

On the upside my memory has improved slightly and I suddenly remembered on Friday that I was meant to be doing the Brownie meeting on Monday! With hubs out all day on Saturday meaning no car and Mother's Day on Sunday this threw me into a panic. Usually I'd have felt physically sick and had no idea what to do but I managed to control my anxiety and buy most of what I needed on my lunch break. Phewwwwww.

The healthy eating has continued and like last week I am super happy to say I've had a loss!

Movie of the week!

This week's movie of the week is part of an animated trilogy! It's Madagascar 3!!

Book of the week!

This week's book of the week is a little different! It's not an actual book of sorts as its an app which brings lots of books to you in one go!

Sharpie Mugs!

Sharpie mugs are one of those things you see a lot of on Pinterest when looking for homemade gift ideas but I've always been a bit dubious of how they'd turn out. On trying them I've found they are actually super easy to do and really effective!