Monday 31 May 2021

Our First Stunt Scooter

The children have all been scooting around since their second birthdays, but have recently discovered the joys of skate parks, being able to go a bit faster and try something new, so when Micro Scooter sent us their 'Ramp' stunt scooter, designed for children aged 5-12, they were all excited to test it out.

We made a day out of testing it, scooting down into town to jump on the open top bus which travels along the coast to a neighbouring town.  There is an outdoor skate park next to one of the playgrounds that we love and all four children had a scooter with them.  They were so excited to try it out on the ramps and immediately noticed that it was better designed for them than their current scooters.  The ramp scooter is non adjustable in order to maintain integrity on stunts and you can see in the pictures how it works for different ages and heights (Finn is 6 and 123cm, Archie is 8 and 135cm, Dylan is 9 and 152cm tall). You can spot Cora in the background whizzing around on her Mini-Micro scooter too.


Micro scooter, stunt scooter for kids, scooter kids

Micro scooter, stunt scooter for kids, scooter kids

Micro scooter, stunt scooter for kids, scooter kids

They haven't mastered many tricks yet but are all keen to get lessons at the local indoor skate park and master the jumps and stunts that they have seen others doing, which might require me getting another two stunt scooters! Cora is nearly 5 but still quite petite for her age so I think it might be a bit tall for her at the moment (at around 102cm she is a little below the height of an average 5 year old).  They have been trying to jump on their current scooters but all agreed it felt easier on the stunt scooter.

Micro scooter, stunt scooter for kids, scooter kids

The Ramp scooter can be used as a starter scooter for stunts but is also great for getting from A to B and can be used as an everyday scooter too.  There is a 28 day no quibble return policy and replaceable parts so this is a great scooter for active children.  We have been using Micro scooters for years and have always been so impressed that they are the only brand we look at now!

Micro scooter, stunt scooter for kids, scooter kids

Micro scooter, stunt scooter for kids, scooter kids

You can find all of the Micro Scooter range on their website including the Ramp Stunt Scooter which retails for £99.99 and comes in three different colours.  There are a variety of stunt scooters depending on ability and use and another range for older children.


Micro scooter, stunt scooter for kids, scooter kids

Micro scooter, stunt scooter for kids, scooter kids






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Monday 17 May 2021

Family Games Night with Toffifee

Advertisement feature as a brand ambassador for Toffifee


Friday night is either family film night or family games night, a chance to unwind together after a long week and the opportunity to stay up a little later for the boys.  We tend to stick to the simple games to keep the boys focused and Toffifee is the centre of the fun. I have so many lovely memories of family games tournaments and I need to start teaching the children all the card games I started playing at their age.


toffifee, games night, family fun


It is one of the things I most looked forward to about the children getting a bit older.  The baby stage feels like the longest, but seems to be over before you blink.  This next bit though, it is pretty special.  They still want to spend time with us parents, but they are old enough to watch a film we can all enjoy and they have the attention span for board games.  Finn is 6 now and I can really see how much he has grown up.  Dylan is 9 and definitely starting to hit the ‘tween’ stage, but he isn’t fully there yet.  He would rather be with his friends but he still gets involved (especially when the Toffifee comes out!).


toffifee, games night, family fun


Toffifee is the perfect unique treat for us to share as a family. The crunchy hazelnut in a delicious caramel cup, smooth hazelnut spread, plus a drop of rich chocolate is loved by all of us and the last one always goes to the winner of the game (providing there was no cheating, which is rare!). Toffifee 100g box is currently available to try for only 50p! Click here to find out how.


toffifee, games night, family fun


I can’t wait for some warmer evenings so we can change things up with some barbeques or outdoor games nights.  Archie is trying to convince us to get a hot tub too! I am sure Toffifee will continue to feature as a special part of our weekend, the 100g pack is ideal for sharing!  


toffifee, games night, family fun


toffifee, games night, family fun

toffifee, games night, family fun

toffifee, games night, family fun



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Friday 14 May 2021

Finn and Cora's Shared Bedroom

We have lived in our house for nearly 4 years and this is the third change to this room as we try to work out the best way to use the space.  It was originally a shared nursery for the little two, it then became Finn's room alone with a king sized bed taking over most of the space and now, with Cora's room repurposed into an office, and us becoming more aware that neither Finn nor Cora like sleeping in a room alone, I have tried to create a unisex shared bedroom for them.

unisex bedroom, shared bedroom idea, childrens decor, childrens mural

Finn is 6 and Cora will be 5 next month.  I wanted a room that gave us options, storage and space, and that could grow with them.  We are limited by the fact we are in a rented house, but we decided to go for one feature wall which could be repainted if we decide to move.  I chose a fun design from Murals Wallpaper and they gifted us the mural.  I liked this one as I could pick out different colours for accessories and it wouldn't be outgrown.  The room is small but I love how it adds colour and fun.

unisex bedroom, shared bedroom idea, childrens decor, childrens mural

I bought the bunk beds and kallax unit from Ikea and Finn already had the white Ikea chest of drawers.  As well as the kallax boxes on the bottom row, I found the fun crates at The Works and loved how well the colours co-ordinated with the room.  Both children have their own set for storing their 'special things'.

unisex bedroom, shared bedroom idea, childrens decor, childrens mural

We were sent the most beautiful Picca Lou Lou pompom garland from Luna and Cash and it is so incredibly soft.  I need to put some proper hooks on the wall for it.  I love the rich colours and it looks great above their bed.  They also sent a beautiful Fabelab animal cushion which matches the bright mustard on the wall and is taking it in turns between the children at the moment!

unisex bedroom, shared bedroom idea, childrens decor, luna and cash, pompom garland

unisex bedroom, shared bedroom idea, childrens decor, luna and cash, pompom garland

The four prints I bought from Desenio, and the wooden dolls house and make up set are preloved toys from friends who had outgrown them. The cosy corner is made up of things that were in Cora's room before, purchased from a variety of stores.  I wanted to reuse as much as we could.  

unisex bedroom, shared bedroom idea, childrens decor, desenio

unisex bedroom, shared bedroom idea, childrens decor, cosy kids corner

I wanted the bedding to be as easy as possible, so I bought coverless duvets that can be washed and tumble dried as they are (it might sound lazy but to me it sounds genius!).  I bought them from Fine Bedding and got the matching pillow cases (unfortunately they have to be removed from the pillows before washing).  They are wonderfully soft and they have slept well in them.

unisex bedroom, shared bedroom idea, childrens decor

unisex bedroom, shared bedroom idea, childrens decor

I love how their room has come together.  It is colourful and Fun and the space works well for sleep and play together.

unisex bedroom, shared bedroom idea, childrens decor

unisex bedroom, shared bedroom idea, childrens decor















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Monday 10 May 2021

Days Out in Essex // Clacton Pavillion

We recently visited Clacton-on-Sea and of course our trip wouldn't have been complete without visiting the beach and the famous pier.  I had left it until the last day as it was meant to be the sunniest and we arrived down there by 11am.  Clacton Pier itself didn't open until midday, but we walked along the gardens that line the seafront and explored.

Just in front of the pier, we found Clacton Pavilion.  In contrast to the big and exciting rides that the pier offers, the pavilion had a collection of smaller rides aimed at younger children.  Mine are 4,6,8 and 9, but my eldest prefers gentle rides over anything adventurous and I was soon inundated with requests for the bumper cars.  The pavilion offers wristbands which offer unlimited rides for the day (it is open 11-5) for £8.99 and it seemed like the most cost effective way to enjoy the day.  When we later explored the pier, it was around £3- £4 per ride for the bigger rides and my children were much happier having unlimited smaller rides.

Clacton pier, clacton pavillion, days out in essex, clacton with kids

Clacton pier, clacton pavillion, days out in essex, clacton with kids

There was around 12 choices in total and the bumper cars were a big favourite.  There were only 5 cars but the park was quiet (it was Kent school holidays when we visited but the Essex school term had restarted) so we never had to queue.  Cora at 102cm was tall enough to go on every ride without a parent and Dylan at 9 (152cm) was only too big for one ride.  Everything was close together and they could easily move between rides or I could watch two on one ride and two on another.  

Clacton pier, clacton pavillion, days out in essex, clacton with kids

Clacton pier, clacton pavillion, days out in essex, clacton with kids

I can't begin to guess how many turns they had but I do know I was dragging them away when it was time to leave and they have been desperate to return ever since!  

Rather than getting lunch at the hot dog huts in the pavilion, we walked down to the beach and had fish and chips from a little café there.  I wanted a break from the noise and lights so we spent some time playing in the sand and enjoying the views.  We also went for a walk all the way along the pier to the end.  To get through to the outdoor area we had to walk through a huge arcade that the children were desperate to play in (all indoor activities were shut due to Covid measures when we visited).

Clacton pier, clacton pavillion, days out in essex, clacton with kids

Clacton pier, clacton pavillion, days out in essex, clacton with kids

Clacton-on-Sea seafront is a wonderful place to visit with young children.  There are huge stretches of beach, all the fun of the pier and we loved our day out at the pavilion.

Clacton pier, clacton pavillion, days out in essex, clacton with kids

Clacton pier, clacton pavillion, days out in essex, clacton with kids

Clacton pier, clacton pavillion, days out in essex, clacton with kids

Clacton pier, clacton pavillion, days out in essex, clacton with kids



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Tuesday 4 May 2021

Little Adventures with Regatta

This post features clothing sent to us to promote

As the world opens up a little, we are enjoying exploring somewhere different, visiting attractions that we have missed and seeing people, but we are still making time for the simple things, the little adventures close to home that were available all along and kept us going through the past year.  The beach is my favourite place to be and we are lucky enough to live within walking distance.

Whilst it is a fun summer day out, I have written regularly about how we enjoy the beach in all weather and this windy bank holiday weekend was no exception.  We met up with my parents and my nephews (they are a childcare bubble) at their beach hut and spent the day building sandcastles, eating chips and splashing in the sea.  Cora was sent a raincoat and wellies from Regatta's new Peppa Pig collection and whilst there were no muddy puddles to jump in, there was a sandy sea.

regatta, peppa pig, regatta kidswear, adventure ready kids

Cora prefers wearing wellies to shoes as she can take them on and off easily and it means she is always prepared for puddles and adventure (are you a parent if you haven't tried to prevent a child in inappropriate shoes not to jump in a puddle?).  These boots have an adjustable toggle so you can fit them snuggly around the legs which should stop water splashing into the boots on the biggest jumps too!

regatta, peppa pig, regatta kidswear, adventure ready kids

As the weather is warming up, the children are keen to ditch their bigger coats (as is the person who seems to end up carrying them most of the time), and we are looking for coats that protect from the elements without being too warm or bulky.  Cora's Peppa Pig raincoat is ideal for this, it protects from showers without getting in the way of climbing, running and sea splashing.

regatta, peppa pig, regatta kidswear, adventure ready kids

We are looking forward to a year of adventures closer to home (we haven't risked booking any foreign travel yet) and with the British weather so unpredictable I think wellies and a thin raincoat are going to be essentials!  The Regatta Peppa Pig collection is available  in size 12-18 up to 5-6.  Cora is a petite nearly 5 year old in age 4-5.  We found the wellies were generous sizing so don't size up!

regatta, peppa pig, regatta kidswear, adventure ready kids

regatta, peppa pig, regatta kidswear, adventure ready kids

regatta, peppa pig, regatta kidswear, adventure ready kids

regatta, peppa pig, regatta kidswear, adventure ready kids





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