tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84060917019010015282024-03-24T23:09:15.796-07:00Hertfordshire Mummyliving and loving life in HertfordshireAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.comBlogger226125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-2169821902841878972018-09-19T03:20:00.002-07:002018-09-19T03:22:08.315-07:00October Events In Herts<br />
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Planning Your Autumn Break <o:p></o:p></h2>
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<i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There’s
lots of exciting events for you to attend this October, so why not treat
yourself to a mini-break? <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hertfordshire is one of the liveliest
counties in the UK, and there is always something to see and do. As Autumn
draws in, there’s no let up in the packed local schedule just because the
weather is getting colder! You’ll find that there are lots of exciting events
going on all over the county this October. So whether you are a couple looking
to enjoy a relaxed weekend or a parent trying to keep the kids amused, you’ll
be sure to find the perfect Hertfordshire event for you – and the perfect place
to stay if you want to make a break out of it! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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St Albans Food and Drink Festival<o:p></o:p></h2>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Whether you like to dine out at the best
restaurants in town or rustle up some culinary creations at home, you’ll love
the St Albans Food and Drink Festival. You’ll be able to learn about, sample
and take home some of the finest produce the historic city has to offer, as
well as attend workshops to boost your skills in the kitchen. Check out the <span class="InternetLink"><a href="http://www.radioverulam.com/festival/"><span style="color: navy;">festival schedule</span></a></span> for more information. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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Dark Arts at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London<o:p></o:p></h2>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Harry Potter studio tour has become
one of Hertfordshire's most visited attractions in the years since it opened.
This October visitors will be able to get into the spooky spirit with the <span class="InternetLink"><a href="https://www.visitherts.co.uk/dark-arts-at-warner-bros-studio-tour-london-the-making-of-harry-potter/"><span style="color: navy;">Dark Arts seasonal event</span></a></span>. The famous film
sets will be decked out in all kinds of spectacular Halloween decorations, and
wannabe witches and wizards will be able to try out their duelling skills
against the fearsome Death Eaters. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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Chilterns Heritage Festival <o:p></o:p></h2>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There’s a new addition to the events
calendar this year with the very first <span class="InternetLink"><a href="https://chilternsociety.org.uk/heritage-festival/"><span style="color: navy;">Chilterns Heritage Festival</span></a></span>. This exciting
new fixture will see events at locations all over the Chilterns. You will be
able to visit iconic local locations, attend historical open days and take part
in heritage walks. So it promises to be an event that’s as fun as it is
educational, attracting both tourists and local residents. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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Evenings at the theatre <o:p></o:p></h2>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There are some great theatrical
productions set to run in October. The Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth will open
to audiences at the Broadway Theatre on the 3<sup>rd</sup>, with A Pure Woman
following on the 16<sup>th</sup> and the October schedule finishing with Not
About Heroes on the 21<sup>st</sup>. Private Peaceful at the University of
Hertfordshire is set to be a moving production marking the 100<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of the end of World War 1. It’s suitable for children, making it a
must-see for the whole family on October 25<sup>th</sup>. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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Book a stay at a great local hotel <o:p></o:p></h2>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">If you want to explore Hertfordshire
fully, why not make a longer stay out of it? Beales Hotel is one of the best <span class="InternetLink"><a href="https://www.bealeshotelhatfield.co.uk/"><span style="color: navy;">hotels in Hatfield</span></a></span>, and is perfect for
couple’s getaways and family breaks. With great transport links to the capital
and some brilliant facilities, it’s the ideal base for you and your loved ones
as you make the most of some of the exciting events on offer in Hertfordshire
this October.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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October is set to be lots of fun! <o:p></o:p></h2>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hertfordshire really is the place to be
this October, with a really diverse line-up of local events for people to
choose from. So why not see what’s going on one weekend and head on down to
join in the fun? You’ll have a great time – especially if you've got a plush
hotel room to head back to and relax in afterwards! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-22478766212565558352018-09-12T01:58:00.002-07:002018-09-12T01:58:49.216-07:00Rock Up Watford - Crazy Climbing Fun! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3lXcD9JuQw4/W5jUd4rSDJI/AAAAAAAADqM/VhuHPId7PdMXRqn68oU_fLEuwqLiN4wXgCLcBGAs/s1600/rockup4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3lXcD9JuQw4/W5jUd4rSDJI/AAAAAAAADqM/VhuHPId7PdMXRqn68oU_fLEuwqLiN4wXgCLcBGAs/s320/rockup4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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From a young age my children have never been happier than when they are climbing. From their first tentative attempts to get up the stairs (followed by a very nervous mummy) to climbing trees, trolleys, fences and, well, pretty much anything that they could shimmy up! Whilst they have done some climbing courses there is no where near us where they could just go and climb for the fun of it...until we found out that a new <b><a href="https://www.rock-up.co.uk/">Rock Up</a></b> was opening at the Intu Centre in Watford.<br />
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Rock up is an innovative all weather climbing centre which has 26 varied climbing walls for children to test their climbing skills on. It also has a cafe for the parents and a soft play area for families with younger children (children can climb from age 4).<br />
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Our visit began at the desk where the children were given a coloured wrist band. This was linked to their timed session. I liked the fact that there were not too many children as it meant they would get to try out all the different climbing walls and it wouldn't be too crowded. We then went for a safety briefing where the children were helped into their harnesses and given instructions of how to climb. It was all very simple. They needed to wait by the climbing wall they wanted to do and an adult helper would clip them on. When they reached the top of the wall (or as far as they could go!) they could simply let go and the rope would gently lower them back down to the ground where they could unclip themselves. The staff were friendly and engaging and made sure the children were happy and confident before climbing.<br />
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Then it was time to let them loose! There was a great variety of walls to climb. Some with lights, some with ropes and different styles of foothold. My children's favourite was a clear wall where they could climb both sides and race each other to the top! There was a vibrant atmosphere and as a parent it was great to be able to sit an have a coffee whilst the children enjoyed themselves. There was a first floor cafe as well as a ground floor seating area so you could cheer your children on to reach the top of the wall!<br />
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Both of my children had a fantastic time and were pretty worn out by the end of their session. As well as having a lot of fun it was a brilliant way to get exercise especially as the weather gets colder (and rainier!) and it's less appealing to be outside. Climbing also builds upper body strength which can actually help with their writing skills too!<br />
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I would definitely recommend a visit to Rock Up Watford. They also do birthday parties and you can organise trips for groups such as brownies/cubs. To find out more why not visit their <b><a href="https://www.rock-up.co.uk/">website</a></b> or check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rockupadventure/">Facebook Page</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-41691855341013869672018-09-12T00:24:00.000-07:002018-09-12T00:24:45.745-07:00Next Thing Education Tech Camps - A Holiday Club With A Difference<br />
Now I have a confession to make. I have only actually sent my children to a holiday club once, for one day only and, well, they didn't really enjoy it. I had thought that when I went to pick the up I'd find them having fun with new friends, unwilling to leave but instead they looked rather miserable and actually ran over to me to go home! I admit that this had put me off holiday clubs for a while but I was intregued to find out about some 'Tech Camps' which were being run in Hertfordshire by<b><a href="https://nextthing.education/"> Next Thing Education.</a> </b><br />
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Both of my children LOVE technology. Whether it's coding, building Lego structures or creating complex worlds (that I don't understand) in Minecraft they are totally in their element. So when I asked them if they would like to try out this 2 day camp they jumped at the chance.<br />
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We were all quite nervous when we arrive but we were greeted warmly by the teacher and we were given a direct number to call if there were any problems which was reassuring. As I drove home I kept my fingers crossed that they would have a great day but I really needn't have worried. I picked up two very happy and exuberant children who spent the car journey home falling over themselves to tell me what they had done that day!<br />
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They had enjoyed coding emojis, creating Lego machines and I think their best part was the game of laser tag that they got to play in the school playground. They were also extremely enthusiastic about going back again the next day so I was able to breath a sigh of relief!<br />
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The next morning they were up bright and early and looking forward to becoming a DJ and doing some 3D art! It was great to see them so excited and certainly made it easier for me to leave them knowing that they were happy and would be well looked after. Again at the end of the day they had an amazing time making music (they both thought their tune was the best naturally!) and they had come home with some really interesting 3D creations!<br />
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I would definitely recommend the Next Thing Education Tech Camps to Hertfordshire Parents. I really felt that not only had the children enjoyed themselves but they had learnt a lot too. These are also a great alternative for children who don't enjoy the sports camps which are available in the summer holidays.<br />
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Why not find out more about these camps by visiting the <b><a href="https://nextthing.education/">website</a> </b>or follow them on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nextthing.education/"><b>Facebook page</b></a> to keep on top of the latest news!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-24087318756150121142018-07-24T00:19:00.002-07:002018-07-24T00:26:19.897-07:00Hatfield Park Farm - The Perfect Summer Day Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a family we love getting out into the countryside and where we live we are super lucky that, whilst we are only 20 minutes from central London, we are surrounded by beautiful country, woods and fields. We are always on the look out for nice outdoors locations to spend some time with the children and so we were very excited to rake a look around<b><u> <a href="http://www.hatfieldparkfarm.co.uk/">Hatfield Park Farm</a></u></b> at Hatfield House.<br />
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Hatfield House is a stunning stately home situated in gorgeous grounds. As well as having some fascinating history (did you know it is where Elizabeth I found out she was going to be made queen?) it also has a lovely range of shops in the stable yard, a river cottage cafe and its very own rare breeds farm.<br />
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Hatfield House is very easy to get to by both road and train (it's only 5 minutes walk from the train station) and there is plenty of parking there to make life easier for visitors. When you arrive at the farm you can also buy feed for the animals which we did as the children love feeding them. The farm itself is open and airy and you really feel a sense of space where the children are happy and free to run around and explore.<br />
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Because you can feed the animals the day out feels really interactive and the children really enjoyed this. The goats and sheep were great and it was lovely to get so close to them (they enjoyed their food too).<br />
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One of the things we really liked was that there are also little play activity centres all around the farm such as sandpits with diggers and the challenging goat pass climbing frame which kept them happy for ages seeing how fast they could complete the course!<br />
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As well as entrance to the farm the price also includes a tractor trip which takes place at regular intervals throughout the day. This was a welcome sit down and it took us all around the farm so that we could see all of the animals from the comfort of the trailer. Whilst it is not included in the price there is also a miniature train too which we all enjoyed and it even has it's very own station.<br />
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Also included is entry to 'bloody hollow' the playframe next to the farm. This was a big hit with the children and was a great way for them to burn off any energy that we had left. To finish off the day the lovely cafe in the Stable Yard is only a few minutes walk away where you can treat the children to ice cream or a delicious cake - and a well earned coffee for the adults!<br />
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We really enjoyed our day out at Hatfield Park Farm and would definitely visit again. It's a great place to visit in the summer holidays especially with all this lovely sunny weather we are having! To find out more about ticket prices and opening times visit their <a href="http://www.hatfieldparkfarm.co.uk/"><b>website</b></a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Hatfield-Park-Farm-148252081901893/?ref=br_rs"><b>Facebook page</b></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-30667629353809676542018-03-14T01:12:00.002-07:002018-03-14T01:12:48.623-07:00Teatime Tribe Save The Day! - ReviewWhether we are working mums, stay at home mums or work at home mums we all know the feeling.<br />
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It's that feeling of dread at 5pm when the children are getting hungry and you know that you really should be rustling up something healthy and filling (and possibly made with alfalfa sprouts) but you are just so tired that you once again find yourself heading to the freezer for chips and nuggets. As you picture Jamie Oliver's disapproving gaze upon your rather beige meal you think to yourself - there must be another way?<br />
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Well I'm delighted to say that now there is! Yes the rather fabulous <a href="http://www.teatimetribe.co.uk/"><b>Teatime Tribe </b></a>who are based in St Albans, Hertfordshire have come up with the solution to your teatime troubles. On a weekly basis they will deliver a selection of healthy, balanced and most importantly tasty meals direct to your doorstep so that you can give your children a home-cooked meal without feeling too frazzled.<br />
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The way it works is that you choose how many children you need meals for and what size meals you need (there are larger portions provided for older children) and then select 5 meals to be delivered to you - direct to your doorstep. There are a different selection of meals available every week specially designed to tempt your little one's tastebuds. We chose:<br />
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Vegetable Curry<br />
Chicken Casserole<br />
Lebanese Meatballs<br />
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You can choose a convenient delivery slot and from there on it's as easy as waiting for the lovely delivery lady to knock on your door with your selection.<br />
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I loved the way that Teatime Tribe had really anticipated every issue that a busy parent could have. The meals are kept in the fridge but the packaging is also freezer friendly so if plans change or you decide to cook one night then you can just pop them in the freezer. They are also cooked in their packaging so there's no mess (and even better hardly any washing up!).<br />
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Cooking instructions are printed on the side of each dish so even if you are fairly disorganised like me you can't loose them and they can be either oven cooked or microwaved for added convenience.<br />
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Trying out Teatime Tribe really did save the day for me this week as we are having some renovations done and accessing and cooking properly is really difficult with the builders around all the time. This meant it was fantastic to have one less worry when I knew there was a delicious and wholesome meal available for my children each night.<br />
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But of course the proof is in the tasting and I was pleased that my generally quite fussy children loved their meals. They were pronounced 'cool' and 'yummy' which is high praise indeed! Obviously I had a taste myself too and they were really delicious, in fact an adult would enjoy them too.<br />
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The hearty chicken casserole was just what was needed on a very cold winter's evening and the veggie curry was delicately flavoured and packed with goodness. The Lebanese meatballs were a firm favourite and have inspired the children to try some more Lebanese food so it's been a great way about teaching them about new and different flavours and helping them to become more adventurous.<br />
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We loved using Teatime Tribe and I think they are an amazing idea for busy parents who struggle to find the time to cook. They would also be the perfect solution if you are going through a stressful time such as building work or a busy work project and a subscription would be an ideal and original gift for parents who had just had a second (or third) baby.<br />
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I love the ethos that Teatime Tribe has of really making it about the food flavours, using wholemeal and organic food when possible and not adding salt and sugar. As we are trying to cut down on plastics in the HertfordshireMummy household I was also thrilled to see that the meals came in sustainable paperboard containers.<br />
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<b>To find out more about Teatime Tribe why not visit their website <a href="http://teatimetribe.co.uk/">teatimetribe.co.uk</a></b><b>You can sign up or choose a one off trial box to sample their amazing menu. Why not give them a like on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teatimetribe/">Facebook</a> too to keep up to date with their latest news! </b></h4>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-26892448624406280242017-11-19T23:49:00.003-08:002017-11-19T23:49:47.416-08:00Christmas Shopping At The GalleriaYou might love Christmas shopping or you might loath it but whatever you feel it's got to be done! I really enjoy a good shop but I know that it can be hard to have a pleasant Christmas shopping experience with the kids in tow!<br />
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So I was excited to be invited to try out the shopping experience at the <a href="https://thegalleria.co.uk/">Galleria in Hatfield,</a> Hertfordshire. Armed with my list, two excited children and a slightly grumpy husband we set off on our expedition. The first thing that we really liked was that there was loads of car parking available and it was also really useful that with the new car parking system you can pay quickly and easily online which is perfect if you are like me and never seem to have the right change with you! And with the car safely in place we headed off to begin our day.<br />
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Now the great thing about the Galleria is that it's not just a shopping centre there are also multiple things for the children to do and to keep them amused including a soft play centre, an arcade and a mini car race track! My two are pretty energetic so we began by splitting up with my husband taking the children off for some fun at the Sega Arcade whilst I got on with the serious business. I love the fact that there's such a great range of shops here with something for everyone. The M&S outlet was brilliant for a bargain and I was thrilled to get some luxury crackers for Christmas lunch at half price, some lovely gift wrap and a game for us all to enjoy on Christmas day.<br />
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Next stop was Waterstones where I really could have spent all day as it's huge and I'm a massive book fan. But, I had to keep on schedule so I tried to keep my visit short and got the latest Tom Gates and Wimpy Kids books for the Children's stockings. I also had a quick look at the latest fashions in Gap and then down the escalators for the ground floor. There is a huge TK Max where I love doing a bit of bargain hunting and I got some very pretty soaps which are perfect little presents for the extended family. Then it was on to The Works which had some brilliant offers on children's games which I just couldn't resist. Finally I thought it was time I had a bit of a treat too and so I went to my dream shop - Le Creuset. As a keen cook I just adore their brightly coloured cookware and I was thrilled to find a stunning blue baking dish at a great reduced price.<br />
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So shopping done it was time for a rest for mum and dad - but the kids still wanted to play. Luckily there was the fabulous Get Wild play frame which kept the children busy whilst me and my husband enjoyed a well earned festive Gingerbread coffee from Costa Coffee. There were plenty of seats for the grown ups and the intricate frame and slides kept the children amused for the full hour slot.<br />
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The Galleria is not only about shopping it's an entertainment complex too with an Odeon cinema and a wide range of restaurants. We thought we'd treat ourselves to tea and we had a great range to choose from - Prezzo, Nandos, Chiquitos - it was hard to decide but in the end we plumped for Prezzo where we had a delicious pizza and ice cream.<br />
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The it was time to make our way home. Adults happy that most of our Christmas shopping had been done and some great bargains had and children happy to have had a fun afternoon playing - and ready for a good nights sleep!<br />
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If you'd like to find out more about the Galleria why not visit their<a href="https://thegalleria.co.uk/"> website </a> to get further information on their events, shops and restaurants.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-14269269462800217852017-07-17T06:24:00.003-07:002017-07-17T06:24:43.591-07:00Our Lucky Gecko Box Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I always try to think of creative things to do with my children after school but I have to say that as they have got older so I have struggled more and more to find things they actually want to do and that are not deemed 'booooring' or even worse 'babyish'.<br />
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I'm afraid that playdough and stickers just won't cut it any more and they are looking for something a bit more challenging so I was really interested to find out about Lucky Gecko Boxes.<br />
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Lucky Gecko are a company who are dedicated to inspiring children to think differently about education and to help them enjoy learning and understand the world around them. They also want to get children connecting the dots between what they learn at school and the real world. And so Lucky Gecko boxes were born! These fabulous boxes come in 3 categories which you can choose depending on your child's natural interests:<br />
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<b>Wisdom</b> - This box is designed to help build confidence, boost core skills and give helpful tips for revision and exam techniques<br />
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<b>Imagination</b> - This box encourages students to use novels as a starting point for exploring the wider world.<br />
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<b>Curiosity</b> - This box is designed to build confidence in students who find traditional classroom teaching frustrating. It encourages practical exploration, experimentation, invention and problem solving.<br />
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You can get a monthly subscription for £36 which is delivered via the post and the great thing is that you can swap between the different types of box so your child can get to experience all 3!<br />
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We were lucky enough to try out a box and as my children do find school slightly frustrating and are creative and curious we chose the curiosity box.<br />
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There was great excitement in the house when the box arrived. Although we live in a technological age there is really nothing to beat the thrill of the doorbell and receiving a parcel with your name on and the kids couldn't wait to open it when they got home that evening.<br />
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And it certainly was exciting. We had a great comic called The Phoenix which my son (who can often be a reluctant reader) spirited away immediately and read from cover to cover. My daughter was hot on his heels and they both told me how much they enjoyed reading this.<br />
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There was a fun novelty pencil and a brilliant comic strip book which really piqued my daughters creativity. She doesn't enjoy writing much but she does love drawing and so this was a great way to help her get creative. With a ready designed comic strip format it was up to her to fill it in and there was a handy template at the back for the speech and thought bubbles. It really was a pleasure to see how inspired she was.<br />
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We also got a brilliant game designed to challenge our brains which was really good fun and which has definitely become a firm family favourite.<br />
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There was also a very exciting create your own robot kit as well. Taking after their father who is an engineer both my children love robotics and making things. There were 2 solar powered motors and a little robot to make that the motor could go in - and there were other ideas in the instruction manual too such as making a robot out of a paper cup and even a cookie! I would love to say that I helped out by they managed to make them all on their own with no intervention from me (which probably would have been more of a hindrance).<br />
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So for our family the Lucky Gecko box was a real success. I love the way it encouraged the children to think outside of the box and it would be really inspiring for them to get one every month. They declared it 'awesome' which is pretty much the highest compliment that they ever give so I think that says it all!<br />
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To find out more about Lucky Gecko Boxes and to subscribe to your box visit <a href="http://www.luckygecko.com/">www.luckygecko.com</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-9891260539344659752017-03-30T11:01:00.003-07:002017-03-30T11:01:50.758-07:00Thank Goodness For Dolmio - My Midweek Meal For Busy Mums<br />
Midweek...it's often the time of the week that every mum dreads. You know the feeling. You're running low on supplies but you can't quite justify and end of week takeaway yet! So what can you do when you need to create a tasty but healthy meal for the children, you're finishing off a work deadline and trying to ferry various children to various clubs - all at the same time (yes we do deserve a medal!). That's when I'm always glad to see a jar of tasty Dolmio in the cupboard as I know it means I can whip up a delicious midweek meal that all the family will enjoy!<br />
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There's not really anything that beats a good Spag Bol in my opinion. It's the perfect dish for all occasions. Filling and comforting it's a popular choice with adults and children, great for a play-date and brilliant to batch cook so that you are always one step ahead!<br />
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I also like to use my Spag Bol as a way to sneakily get some veggies into my little ones too. There's often cries of 'yuck' when I try to get them to sample a new vegetable but by whizzing them up into a tasty Dolmio based sauce.<br />
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The great thing about this recipe is that you can really use any vegetable you have in your fridge and you can try different ones each time. Our faves are carrots, courgettes and onions so that's what I've used in this recipe. </div>
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<b>Mums Midweek Meal - Hidden Vegetable Spaghetti Bolognaise</b></div>
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<b>Ingredients:</b></div>
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1 jar Dolmio Original</div>
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500g approx beef mince</div>
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1 onion</div>
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2 cloves garlic</div>
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2 carrots</div>
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2 courgettes</div>
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olive oil</div>
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pasta</div>
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<b>Method</b></div>
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I'll be honest, on a school evening I don't want to be peeling and chopping and a great thing about this recipe is that if you have a food processor you can just throw all the veg in together. Whizz it up, if your kids are happy with veg you might go with a more chunky texture but if they are 'refusenik's like mine you will want to get it as chopped up as much as possible so it blends in well with the mince. </div>
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And after a minute or so we have...</div>
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Then heat some olive oil in the pan and brown off the mince. Then add in the veg and allow to fry for about 5 minutes. Then it's time for the magic. Add in the Dolmio sauce with it's tasty blend of herbs and spices (did you know it's 100% natural and can provide you with 1 of your 5 a day?). Mix it in well and cook on the hob for around 30-40 minutes.</div>
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Meanwhile cook your pasta timed to be ready at the same time as the Bolognaise. For a healthy touch use wholemeal pasta for some additional fibre and of course it has to be served with lashings of Parmesan cheese!</div>
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The meal went down a treat and not one child even noticed the vegetables! As the veggies add extra bulk to the Bolognaise sauce we had enough for about 8 servings so I popped some in a Tupperware to freeze as a tasty 'ready meal' for next week! Of course there are lots of interesting tweaks you could add to this midweek staple. How about adding some spicy chorizo or crumbling feta cheese on top? I also like to have the Bolognaise served with a crispy jacket potato as a midweek lunch or you could use the left over mince to make a lasagna. </div>
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This recipe certainly makes me say #ThankGoodness for Dolmio and this simple video shows you exactly what goes into a jar of their tasty sauce so you can be assured that it's as good for your family as it is for you! </div>
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<i>**This post is an entry for the #Dolmio #ThankGoodness Challenge, sponsored by Dolmio. <a href="http://www.dolmio.co.uk/thankgoodness" rel="noopener" target="_blank">www.<wbr></wbr>dolmio.<wbr></wbr>co.<wbr></wbr>uk/thankgoodness<wbr></wbr></a>.**</i></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-30016118292845218472017-03-10T02:20:00.004-08:002017-03-10T02:20:58.974-08:00Jumping For Joy At Air Space!<br />
If like me you have very 'bouncy' children who seem to have lots of excess energy to burn off them where better to take them than a trampoline park where they can jump around to their hearts content and hopefully get some healthy exercise too.<br />
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Last weekend we were lucky enough to get invited to the brand new Air Space trampoline park in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The children were really excited and we were very much looking forward to trying it out. We took along some friends as well so it was a real treat for them.<br />
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We arrived in the reception and the pleasant lady at the desk welcomed us and gave us our special trampolining socks. These are extra grippy socks that you need to wear to bounce so that you don't slip up. Although you have to purchase them on your first visit you can then keep them and just bring them with you each time you come for a bounce.<br />
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As always safety is very important in these situations and there is a full safely briefing that you go to before you go and jump. I thought this was a really good idea and reinforces to the children that they do need to be careful. Once this was finished it was time to bounce - yipee!<br />
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The trampoline park is on a lower level with a very nice cafe at the upper level where you can sit and watch the children enjoying themselves. This is a great idea, particularly for mums and dads who might want a little bit of a rest. There's a nice range of food and drink on offer but I would definitely advise you to bring some water for your little ones as they do get thirsty!<br />
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The actual trampoline park is huge and there's plenty of space for bouncing, it never felt too crowded and the children were always able to jump where they wanted. One thing I really liked was that there were plenty of helpful staff around on the trampolines. Not only did they help to keep the children safe they also taught them how to jump correctly and my daughter was really impressed as one of the helpers had spent some time giving her advice on her jumps!<br />
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There's also plenty of variety as if you want a change from bouncing there's also a fab dodgeball court and we all had great fun playing there (the children won obviously!).<br />
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We had a great time at Air Space and would definitely recommend it. It's great exercise for children and adults and makes a nice day out. It's situated on a large entertainment and retail park so there are also lots of restaurants around for a post jump lunch!<br />
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If you have little ones you can also make the most of the great <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">sessions that are available for children of five years or younger, giving them the opportunity to experience everything that older Jumpsters love about Air Space; as for the hour the park is made into a toddler's paradise.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">These sessions are a great way for toddlers to interact with each other while learning about spatial awareness in a fun and safe environment. With trampolines to explore, as well as activities on the multi-sports courts, there is plenty for the Little One's to enjoy. It is also a great way for Mums and Dads to meet other parents in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.</span></div>
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To find out more about Air Space you can visit their website on <a href="https://air-space.co.uk/">https://air-space.co.uk/</a><br />
You can also find them on Twitter at <complete id="goog_1503088017"><a href="https://twitter.com/airspaceuk">@Airspaceuk</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AirspaceUK/">Facebook</a> </complete><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-25259416629606146042017-01-26T02:14:00.002-08:002017-01-26T02:14:42.175-08:00Jump In Enfield- Our Family Review<br />
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Imagine the scene. It's a grey morning in January with a constant drizzle coming from the skies, and you had have 2 small children with bucket loads of energy to burn off! It's always a struggle to get outdoors in the colder months but we still like to get out and about and get some exercise so the new trampoline park Jump In at Enfield seemed like the perfect place to go. None of us had ever been to a trampoline park before as they are still fairly new in the UK so we were super excited!<br />
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We arrived at a large, bright airy centre to be greeted by a very friendly lady who explained how it all worked. You get given a coloured wristband to wear and when your session starts your colour will be called to the safety briefing room. You also get some rather snazzy socks to wear that prevent you slipping, You can keep these socks and re-use the every time you go. We rushed to put them on and then went into the briefing room where you watch a short video which gives you safety advice and tells you what you can and can't do. When this is over it's time to bounce!<br />
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As soon as the children were on the trampolines their eyes lit up and they didn't know what to do first. We started off by jumping on the main trampolines. There was plenty of space and due to the way that Jump In manage the timed sessions you never feel that it is overcrowded. It was also well set out and spotlessly clean! After we'd had a bounce we headed over the rope ladder and soft pit where you had to try and climb a ladder to ring a bell which was a lot harder than it looked and kept the children occupied for a long time.<br />
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We then headed to the dodge ball courts where you could add to the fun of dodge ball by bouncing at the same time! We had a brilliant laugh and all the staff were really friendly and helpful and good at supporting the children if they needed some advice. I have to say that I hadn't expected to do that much jumping myself but I actually really enjoyed it. I probably looked like a slightly mad woman bouncing up and down but there was something quite addictive about it and of course it was a great way to burn up the calories!<br />
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The session time was an hour which was the just the right amount of time for us and when they call out your wristband colour it's time for you to come off. Luckily if you're feeling thirsty or hungry there's a nice cafe and there's also a viewing gallery where you can have a rest and recover afterwards!<br />
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We had a brilliant time at Jump In and were really impressed with it. The children were asking when they could go back as soon as we got in the car and we'll definitely be returning!<br />
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Find out more about Jump In by visiting their website <a href="https://www.gojumpin.com/">https://www.gojumpin.com/</a> for times and prices. You can also like their<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Jumpinenfield/"> Facebook Page </a>too!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-92121446527796098452017-01-13T04:49:00.000-08:002017-01-13T04:49:32.033-08:00A Trip To Lapland With Santa's Lapland - Our Experience And Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ever since the children were born I've wanted to take them to see Santa in Lapland. I always thought it would be an amazing and magical experience (for me as well if I'm being honest) so after several years of saving up this year with the children being 8 and 6 we decided to take the plunge. Holidays to Lapland are expensive and are a big commitment so I wanted to write a full review to help people decide. I haven't been sponsored or paid by anyone to do this review so you can be assured of its honesty too!<br />
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There are a number of companies that run trips to Lapland and we decided to go with Santa's Lapland. They had been recommended to me by a friend and they also had a very non-commercialised feel to them, I wanted to experience authentic Lapland and not be surrounded by shops and sales people<br />
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Santa's Lapland are based in a charming little village called Saariselka which is in Finland and within the arctic circle. It's full of cosy Finnish charm and seemed like the ideal setting for our holiday.<br />
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<b>Before You Go!</b><br />
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Unlike most holidays this is one where you have to do some serious planning about what you are going to take with you because, unsurprisingly, Lapland is pretty darn cold. With temperatures getting down as low as -25 you really don't want to be without the right kit.<br />
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Luckily as part of your holiday you get a fabulous thermal suit, snow boots, mittens and warm woollen socks. What I would recommend that you wear under it is a thermal vest, a base layer and a good quality fleece. Wear thermal long johns under your trousers too. A balaclava or snood to protect your face is important and of course a woolly hat. You can also take extra gloves to wear under the mittens and thermal socks to wear over your woollen socks. As the snow makes everything wet it's good to take extras clothing with you too!<br />
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Note that you are not meant to wear cotton next to your skin in the cold and denim isn't recommended either.<br />
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I would say that it is worth taking disposable heated hand-warmers too which you can buy for a couple of pounds in most camping shops. I've also seen it suggested that you could take a hot water bottle for the children if you are going on one of the optional snow rides as it's quite cold if you are sitting still. Most of the day is in darkness so a small torch would also be useful.<br />
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I'd also say that before you go you should make sure you are ready for a fabulous, fun and very frenetic time. It's a full on experience so don't expect to have lots of time to chill out, you'll need lots of energy!<br />
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<b>Getting There</b><br />
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It's actually a fairly long journey to Lapland and so to make the most of time flights are usually pretty early in the morning. Ours entailed a 3am start and we were all so excited that we didn't get much sleep that night. I was surprised at how easily the children woke up and once the adrenaline got going we didn't really feel that tired. When we got to the airport we could spot our fellow travellers by the abundance of Christmas Jumpers, excited children and toy huskies! Although our flight was slightly delayed it was fine once we got going and the staff were friendly and cheerful and wearing Christmas hats.<br />
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Note: Although there is food available on the flight it isn't included so it's worth having something to eat in the airport beforehand or buying some snacks to take on to the plane with you.<br />
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<b>Arrival!</b><br />
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I can honestly say that coming in to land at Lapland was utterly thrilling, it was a magical landscape like no other and landing in Ivalo and walking out into the crisp white snow was exciting for all of us. It's a tiny airport and we were met off the flight by a friendly rep and allocated a coach name, ours was Nutmeg. This is the coach that you will use for the rest of the trip. After collecting our cases (I'm always nervous in case they don't appear) we found out coach outside, pausing to say hello to the real live reindeer stationed outside the arrivals area. Once on the coach we found to our surprise an elf on board - my daughter looked amazed! I was a bit worried that we would have to wait ages on the coach but it was all very efficient and in no time at all we were setting off through the snowy landscape to our hotel. Its only a short transfer time and en route we sang carols, gazed at the amazing scenery and our guide told us details about how we were to go to the shop next to the hotel to pick up our thermal gear.<br />
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<b>Our Hotel</b><br />
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It was quite hard to choose a hotel as they all seemed good but we had chosen the Riekonlinna for it's location and we found it looking picture perfect, lit up by twinkly fairy lights, it's pitched roof leaden with soft white snow. As we got off the coach we were greeted very efficiently with our room key and advised to take our stuff to our room and then head to the store to get our clothes. We had booked the family apartments which are at the back of the hotel and they looked warm and welcoming with candle arches shining at each window. Our apartment was clean, cosy and Christmassy with a breathtaking view from the balcony. It had a little kitchenette (although no tea and coffee), a private sauna and an ever so useful drying cabinet to make sure you had warm, dry socks every day.<br />
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After taking a look around we went to Lapland Safaris to pick up our gear. It's a brilliantly efficient system with experts who literally look at you to size you up for your suit, I don't know how they do it and can only assume that they are actually elves in disguise! Then back to our apartment to try on our gear and off to the welcome meeting.<br />
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<b>The Northern Lights Snowmobile Safari</b><br />
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We had booked to go on the Northern Lights snowmobile safari which we were very excited about and I would advise that if you think you fancy this and you are on the three day tour then do book in advance. This is because if you book in advance you do it the night you arrive. However if you book on the day you do it after the search for Santa day which you have to leave slightly earlier and I wouldn't have wanted to do this.<br />
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We met up at the Lapland Safari store, got our helmets and balaclavas and then took a 2 minute walk over to the snowmobiles. Children travel separately in sleighs and they went and got into their sleigh whilst we learnt how to drive the snowmobiles. We then went over and checked they were happy in the sleigh under their blanket before getting on our skidoo and off we went.<br />
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It really was a magical and breathtaking experience, driving through those snow covered, silent forests of the frozen north. The snow turns even the mundane into the magical and the only way I can describe it is like being in the pages of a Narnia book. I kept expecting Mr Tumnus to pop out from behind a tree any minute. After about 20 minutes you stop off by a roaring campfire where you get hot berry juice and the most delicious gingerbread biscuits that we've ever tasted (better than mine according to the kids - thanks!). We were told traditional tales and although the lights didn't come out to play just looking up at the stars in the wilderness was enough. We then set off again for a slightly longer ride and travelled across the snowy landscape back to base. It was a one of a kind experience and I would recommend it although I would say that as the children are in the sleigh without you it might be better for slightly older kids i.e. 6+ but that's just my opinion.<br />
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By now it was about -7 degrees and I can't say that the warmth and the lights of the hotel weren't a welcome sight. We got changed and headed to the restaurant for dinner. It's a buffet system and there was a nice selection of food with something for everyone. After a quick drink at the bar, baileys for mummy, beer for daddy, lemonade for the kids we headed back to our apartment aware that we wanted to get an early night before the big day tomorrow. In the evening you check the board at the hotel reception to find out what time your coach leaves for the arctic circle centre the next day. Ours was 10.15 which meant we could have a bit of a lie in before our big day!<br />
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<b>The Big Day! </b><br />
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The search for Santa day is really what it's all about. This is the day that you are driven to the arctic circle centre to experience life in Lapland with husky sleds, reindeer rides, igloos- and would we perhaps get a glimpse of the man himself!?<br />
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After a quick toboggan in the woods by our apartments (there are toboggans everywhere that you can borrow free of charge) we headed off for breakfast. There was a rep who advised me that you need to eat a lot to counteract the cold and luckily the lovely breakfast buffet offered me plenty of opportunity to do just this. There was a range of cold meats and cheeses, gorgeous fresh bread, pastries, cereal, bacon, sausages and eggs and of course juices and teas and coffees. After we ate our fill we waited for our coach which arrived on the dot and headed off.<br />
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On the way our guide explained how the day worked. The centre has two halves which you travel between on a snowmobile train. You could travel around as you wanted by there were just 2 rules. The first was that you had your lunch on the side you arrived on and the second was that you got given a time for your husky ride and it was really important that you didn't miss this as it couldn't be rescheduled which was fair enough. There was then a rolling coach system back to the resort from 2pm onward and you could catch any coach from any side until 5pm. You got a map of the site and I would recommend taking a few minutes to work out a plan of action of how you want to schedule your day. It's worth doing this so you can get your timings right and make sure you don't miss anything.<br />
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We begun on the Reindeer side and it really felt like another world. A wide, un-spoilt landscape of snow and trees and lit up with candlelit paths to walk along. We began with some tobogganing and then headed off for our reindeer ride, sitting on reindeer skins as we got pulled along by these gentle creatures was a wonderful experience and I could have sat there forever looking out at the amazing view. It was then time to pop into one of the warming huts for some hot berry juice and gingerbread which are unlimited all day! whilst we waited for the Reindeer barn show. A friendly elf came and got us when they were ready and we all headed in to meet The reindeer trainer and his hapless assistant and discover how reindeer learn how to fly!<br />
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A quick game of crazy golf and our tummies were rumbling so we headed to the dinner hall which was an old hunting lodge with tables full of bread and unlimited berry juice and a hearty spaghetti bol which was just right to keep you going in the cold weather. After we had eaten our fill we decided to travel over to the other side and whilst there was a small queue for the snow train it didn't really matter as there was a roaring fire for us to sit around whilst the kids happily played in the snow and pelted each other with snowballs.<br />
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On arrival on the other side of the centre we decided to double check where our husky ride came from as we wanted to be sure we knew how to get there but it was very easy to find so we needn't have worried. The children's eyes were drawn to the mini skidoos which they were desperate to try so my husband queued whilst they tobogganed on the great slope and we called them over when it was their turn. They loved it and were more confident than I would have been. Then it was down to the frozen lake for some ice fishing which was fun if a little hopeful that any fish hadn't been scared away by the excited children! We were advised to get to our husky ride 10 minutes before hand and we could hear the excited barking of the dogs when we got there, and eerie and somehow quite primal sound.<br />
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After giving the high five bear statue a high five (it's lucky!) we had instruction on how to drive the sleigh and were taken to our family sleigh. I liked the fact that the dog trainer seemed to really love and care for his animals and they were amazing. We raced along the tundra to cries of "mush mush" from the children who really were in their element. After a 2k ride we came back and the children were allowed lots of times to pet and stroke the dogs who were all very gentle and well behaved now that they were tired out from their run.<br />
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We then thought it was a good opportunity to avail ourselves of the free pancakes in the pancake kota with a nice warming cup of tea. Those pancakes were delicious served with either cream or jam - in fact I think perhaps my only regret of the holiday is that I didn't eat more of them!<br />
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By now it was getting dark - well darker as it's a permanent sort of twilight even in the day and the guide had recommended that we visit the igloos in the dark as they are all lit up and they did look like something from a storybook. There's an igloo ice bar with ice sculptures that the children were fascinated by and a giant igloo where they do an elf show. As we had just missed the start of the show it was the perfect opportunity to treat ourselves to a baileys coffee (hot choc for the kids) and enjoy being in a real igloo!<br />
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We were then called by the guide to the main igloo where the elves put on a very funny show and we had a good laugh at the expense of a couple of the dads who had to sing Christmas carols. It was a cheerful occasion as we were all inducted into 'elf school'. By now the day was nearly over but there was one last, very important thing to do . We'd decided to leave the search for Santa until last as we thought it would be the most magical part of the day and also there had been a short queue for most of the day. It turned out we had made a good decision as when we got there at 4.30 there was no queue so we were straight onto the sleigh and off into the woods where we met some very cheeky elves and of course...Santa! He was definitely the real deal and the children went away happy with 2 special gifts as well.<br />
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Sadly we now knew the day was drawing to a close. We had a quick 5 minutes of ice hockey and reluctantly wended our way up to the coaches that were waiting. We discussed hiding out in the tent in the hopes we would say overnight but decided that the elves would guess what we were up to!<br />
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We were dropped off at our hotel and as if we hadn't had a busy enough day we thought there was just enough time to find the toboggan slope that is the longest in Northern Europe! We grabbed one of the ever available sledges from outside the hotel and crossed over the road to the slopes. And boy was it long, and terrifying! Well terrifying for me - the kids loved it and we tobogganed and made snow angels for an hour. Then back to our room to warm up in our private sauna before the gala dinner.<br />
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<b>The Gala Dinner</b><br />
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The Gala Dinner is optional but I felt it was the perfect festive way to round off the perfect snowy day. A cheerfully decorated function room at the hotel with crackers on the tables and we enjoyed the tasty buffet as we talked about our day and all we had seen and done. After dinner the reps played games with the kids so we could have a bit of relaxation time which was lovely.<br />
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<b>Homeward Bound</b><br />
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The next day we were due to leave quite early but just had time to buy some souvenirs before we waved goodbye to lovely Saariselka - be we left our hearts in Lapland and we will be back!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-29876648252974700912017-01-11T02:59:00.004-08:002017-01-14T12:50:24.850-08:00Having Some Frugal Fun In Hertfordshire This January<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Bee Centre at Stockwood Discover Centre</td></tr>
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They say that April is the cruellest month but that's a lie because it's definitely January. Cold, grey, gloomy, miserable January. And if the weather and the wet streets aren't bad enough January adds an additional sprinkling of misery because not only are the children generally going mad stuck inside but you also find that you spent all your money on Christmas. Great.<br />
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But worry not because I've been researching some ways that you can have fun for free (or at a low cost) in these dull old months so read on to find out some ways to keep yourselves and the kids amused this month without going mad!<br />
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<b>Visit A Museum</b><br />
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Museums are always great for a rainy day and luckily there are still some that are free. We recently went to <a href="http://www.lutonculture.com/stockwood-discovery-centre/">Stockwood Discovery Centre</a> in Luton and were pleasantly surprised. There was an interesting inside area with lots of old fashioned transport some of which the children could go on and there were some nice sculpture gardens and a bee museum too. There was a cafe and a pretty good play area but as we were on a budget we took some tea in our trusty thermos!<br />
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Another great free museum in Hertfordshire is the <a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring.html">Natural History Museum in Tring</a>. This is a fascinating collection of wild and exotic animals (all stuffed!) and the children have spent many a happy hour looking at these gruesome beasts!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Face to face with a tiger at Tring - NHM</td></tr>
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<b>Start Bird Watching</b><br />
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It's always nice to help our feathered friends in the winter and I was excited to see that the RSPB are offering a free <a href="https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/">Big Garden Birdwatch</a> pack to help you enjoy your garden. We're also going to try making some homemade bird-feeders which are cheap and simple to make and should attract more wildlife to your garden.<br />
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<b>Go For A Walk</b><br />
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We're really lucky in Hertfordshire to have so many fantastic parks to go to. It's great for the body and the soul to spend time outside and if you needed any further incentive then children who have spent the day running around in the fresh air are far more likely to sleep at night - yea!<br />
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When we're being frugal we usually take the thermos and some sandwiches to keep us going but most of these places have nice cafes too for when you're feeling flush! So here are some of our favourite parks and place to walk:<br />
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<a href="http://www.finesseleisure.com/parks/stanborough-park">Stanborough Lakes</a><br />
<a href="http://aldenhamcountrypark.co.uk/">Aldenham County Park</a> (although there is a £4.50 charge for the car park)<br />
<a href="http://friendsofpanshangerpark.co.uk/">Panshanger Park</a><br />
<a href="http://stalbans.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-and-green-space/parks/Verulamium-Park/default.aspx">Verulamium Park</a><br />
<a href="http://trentcountrypark.com/Welcome.html">Trent Park</a><br />
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<b>Discover Some History</b><br />
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Why not go back in time with the children to find out more about the past. The stunning <a href="https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/family/explorer-guides-and-bag-available-every-day!">St Albans Cathedral</a> has explorer packs for just £1 that are available for children or there is a family pack that you can take with you on your journey around the Abbey which is free with a £5 refundable deposit.<br />
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<a href="http://welhat.gov.uk/romanbaths">Welwyn Roman Baths </a>is also an interesting historical site which explores what life was like in Roman times. Children under 16 are free and adults have a £3.50 entry charge. <br />
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<b>Hopefully this gives you some ideas of places to go and things to do if you are on a budget this month!</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-77851872597841043562016-12-04T10:53:00.003-08:002017-01-14T12:50:33.111-08:00Walking In A Willows Wonderland! - The Santa Spectacular At Willows Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So December is here and Christmas is fast approaching. We're all massive festive fans in our family and we like to celebrate in style so we were really excited to be given the opportunity to visit our favourite farm for the day and experience their Santa Spectacular experience!<br />
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If you live in Hertfordshire or the surrounding areas then Willows Farm is a fabulous place to visit for the whole family. We always enjoy our days there and find that we are usually kept busy for a full day which is great value for money. However we've never visited at Christmas so I was really looking forward to the festive experience which with 3D sleigh rides, reindeer and real elves promised to be a brilliant day out.<br />
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After a friendly hello from the very authentic elves we headed to the 3D sleigh ride to start the day. I have to say that this was amazing. We put on our special glasses and were transported to a fantasy land where toys came to life and sweeties and candy canes leapt out at us from the screen. There were lots of ooohs and ahhha - from the adults as well as the children! We all loved the special effects and it really got us into the festive spirit for the rest of the day.<br />
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We then decided to visit the man himself and travelled through a number of stunning Christmas scenes until we were greeted by a jolly elf and lead into Santa's cosy grotto. The children loved meeting Santa and so did we. They were also left in awe by his magical trick where he made a golden key appear for both of them and were then taken to the toy shop where they could pick their treat. I thought this was a wonderful idea and there were so many toys to choose from with a great selection for all ages.<br />
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After we'd chosen our toys we went outside to meet the gorgeous Malmut dog Mischka and had our photo taken with her, and inspired by our canine friend we headed off to build our very own husky dog. After kissing the heart the children enjoyed putting the stuffing in and seeing their puppies come to life. They were named Hunter and Woolfie and have not left the children's sides since.<br />
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We then thought we'd burn off some energy so after a play on zip wire and climbing frame we had a go at the indoor ice rink which was a great experience for the kids - there were even friendly penguins and polar bears for the little ones to hold on to to help them balance. By now we were all feeling a bit peckish so we headed off the burrow cafe for a warming roaring fire and a tasty jacket potato - yum.<br />
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Refreshed we decided to take a look at the animals as the children always adore being able to hold the guinea pigs (they are so cute). There were some special visitors in the animal section too as some of Santa's reindeer were paying a visit, it was amazing to be able to see them so close up and the children loved watching them and learning about them.<br />
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Now it wouldn't be a day at Willows without a ride on Tristan the Tractor and it was a very festive ride as all the children were given some jingle bells to shake as we drove along though the magical woodland which they all really enjoyed. By now it was getting quite late but there was just time to visit the very high tech and brand new Peter Rabbit play area which was described by my two children as "the best thing ever". It was indeed amazing - a truly interactive playground which encompassed all the senses! There was a giant raddish patch, musical instruments to play and you could even explore Mrs Tiggywinkles kitchen.<br />
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Soon it was time to head home with our goodies feeling quite tired, a little cold but very festive and jolly. As we warmed up in the car the children couldn't stop talking about what a great time they'd had and as always after a day at Willows they were so tired they went to bed really early (which was perhaps the best Christmas present for mummy).<br />
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<i>If you fancy experiencing the Santa Spectacular at Willows Farm take a look at their<b> <a href="http://www.willowsactivityfarm.com/">website</a> </b>for more details and to book tickets. You can also follow them on Twitter @Willows_Farm or www.facebook.com/willowsfarmvillage</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-59111300024404361412016-11-25T03:44:00.000-08:002017-01-14T12:50:52.718-08:00Sunday Lunch At The Crooked Chimney - Lemsford<br />
When the weather gets cold and the days get darker what could be more comforting, cosy and reassuring than heading out for a tasty Sunday Roast. I usually love cooking but it's been a busy time recently and it was lovely to be invited by the Crooked Chimney to try out their revamped restaurant last Sunday. I was really looking forward to being able to enjoy the tastes and flavours without all the stress and labour and of course not having to clear up afterwards!<br />
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As we've been on a bit of a health kick recently we thought we'd walk the two miles to the pub through pretty Lemsford Village and although the children weren't keen at first once we got out of the house they loved kicking through the leaves, spotting the unusual doorknockers on the quaint houses in the village and spotting squirrels and birds. Soon we spotted the eponymous chimney on the horizon with a welcoming plume of smoke which spoke to us of warmth and beckoned us in! The pub itself looked lovely and festive with a roaring fire and we were greeted by a smiling face and shown to our table.<br />
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I loved the fact that the children were made very welcome too with special menus which they could colour in and which were full of fun nature facts for them to discover. When you have young children it's always nice to go to places that are family friendly and we appreciated the effort that had been made for them.<br />
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Me, my husband and my son all went for roasts and my daughter (always a little individual) went for pizza and chips! Our meals came quickly and we were all very impressed with the portions which were very generous. I had the turkey as I was feeling very festive and it was delicious and came with as much gravy as you wanted! I liked the fact that there was lots of veg as well. My son had roast beef which he devoured and my husband had a trio of meats which he also really enjoyed. We all loved our meals and there was a lovely convivial atmosphere all around us.<br />
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Although we were pretty full we always seem to have room for desert and the children had chocolate ice cream which they pronounced 'yummy'! I had apple pie and my husband had apple crumble both with lashing of custard of course.<br />
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As we put on our coats, gloves and hats and left the warmth of the pub for the walk home we felt relaxed, rested and revived - what more could you want from a Sunday Lunch!<br />
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To find out more about the Crooked Chimney visit their website at <a href="http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/east/thecrookedchimneywelwyngarden">http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/east/thecrookedchimneywelwyngarden</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-10468951296409176552016-11-11T00:52:00.002-08:002017-01-14T12:50:52.715-08:00Learning Our Times Tables With Counting On Gloves<br />
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If there's one thing designed to strike fear into my heart it is finding out one of my children has to learn yet another set of <b>times tables</b>. Yes I know they are important and it's now a target for most schools that children should know all of them by year 6 but it's the worry of how to encourage and inspire children to learn these vital sums.<br />
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Repeating them by rote can be effective but, dare I say it, slightly dull and whilst they love singing along to Percy Parker's times tables songs it doesn't really give them a deeper understanding of how it all works - and it also means I get the wretched tunes stuck in my head for days after!<br />
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So I was really interested when I found out about Counting On Gloves - an innovative new way to encourage kids to learn their tables. Counting On Gloves use the most simple of mathematical tools to teach times tables - your fingers. There's a different set of gloves for each table from 1-10 with the answer to the sum matching the corresponding finger on your hand. You can then play a range of games with them to begin learning.<br />
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We decided to try them out for the 3 times table and chose red gloves (there's a whole range of colours). Both my children were really excited to try them out and we began by having a 'quick fire' game where I asked the question and they used to gloves to give me the answer as quickly as possible.<br />
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As both children wanted to have a go we then had a competition when they had one glove each and we saw who could get the most right!<br />
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The Counting On Gloves come with a range of different games ideas that you can use the gloves for and of course you can have fun creating your own. Both of my children really enjoyed using the gloves and I thought that they worked well for adding an extra dimension to learning times tables. They were far more engaging than yet another round of repetition and my daughter actually asked to practice her tables the other day which was a first!<br />
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To find out more about these great gloves you can visit the <a href="http://countingongloves.com/"><b>Counting On Gloves</b></a> website for information of have a chat to them on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/countingongloves/"><b>Facebook</b></a> or <b><a href="https://twitter.com/countongloves">Twitter</a> </b>pages.<br />
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Happy Counting!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-72567440589004272902016-11-06T03:17:00.000-08:002017-01-14T12:51:02.146-08:00Conker Comets - Autumn Conker Craft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We're lucky enough to have some lovely <b>conker </b>trees nearby and we always enjoy collecting the gorgeous shiny new conkers as they fall down. However after amassing a rather impressive collection we didn't really know what to do with them (they didn't have the promised anti-spider properties!). </div>
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So I headed to Pinterest and found this very easy but fun <b>conker craft</b> which we all really enjoyed. All you need is some coloured tissue paper cut into streamers, glue, conkers and a sharp pen knife or scissors.</div>
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Begin by gouging out a small hole in each conker - adults need to do this bit!!</div>
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Then fill the hole with glue and push in your comet tails (the tissue paper if you hadn't guessed).</div>
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Let them dry and then take them outside for comet racing. See how high you can throw them and how far!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-933130243345865082016-10-20T04:49:00.003-07:002017-01-14T12:51:33.469-08:00Halloween Activities In Hertfordshire!<br />
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I love <b>Halloween</b>. I have to admit that before I had children I didn't much like it and was more likely to be found with the curtains drawn refusing to answer the doorbell but now you'll generally find me decorating my house with copious amounts of <b>Halloween</b> tat (I mean decorations) and dressing up as a ghoul or ghostie (but definitely not a clown!).<br />
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Halloween also usually coincides with half term week or thereabouts so there's lots of fun going on in <b>Hertfordshire </b>if you fancy getting spooky with the kids. Here is a selection of activities you might like to enjoy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.celticharmony.org/families/samhain-celebrations"><b>Samhain celebrations at Celtic Harmony - nr Hertford</b></a><br />
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This festival is a real family tradition and we have been visiting Celtic Harmony since my daughter was 2 and a half. We love to do every Halloween as we travel back in time to the pagan roots of the ceremony by celebrating like Celts! With activities such as a haunted forest, pumpkin carving and warrior training it's a great and atmospheric day out with a touch of education thrown in for good measure!<br />
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<a href="http://www.willowsactivityfarm.com/"><b>Willows Farm pumpkin festival - nr London Colney</b></a><br />
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We are big fans of Willows Farm, there's just so much to do and it's great to have an action packed day with the children (who usually sleep very well after we've been there so that's an added bonus). They also have a fantastic Peter Rabbit themed play zone which was only opened this year and features the latest play technology which we were really impressed with. As well as this they have been busy growing pumpkins down on the pumpkin patch and you can stroll down there with the kids to pick up your very own pumpkin which you can either carve on site or take home. It's a fabulous day out for all ages and the pumpkin and all activities are included in the price.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring/what-s-on-at-tring.html"><b>Museum by torchlight at the Natural History Museum - Tring</b></a><br />
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The Natural History Museum at Tring is a real find and we've spent many a happy afternoon wandering round looking at the exhibits. The children find them really fascinating and to be honest even when it's not Halloween there's a vaguely eerie feeling about the place with all those stuffed beasts staring out at your! To add to the spookiness the museum are running a Museum by torchlight experience on the 28th October where you can visit between 5-8pm, bring your torch and dress up. It sounds like great fun if you're brave enough to try!<br />
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<a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/audley-end-house-and-gardens/events"><b>Spooky stories at Audley End House</b></a><br />
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Ok so it's not strictly in <b>Hertfordshire</b> but I really love this stately home and it's only just over the boarder so I'll let it count! This is a lovely place to visit at any time of year with beautiful grounds and quite a few interactive activities going on in the main house for the children to take part in. During half term there will be spooky stories for the kids but if you fancy something a bit more hair-raising then on the evenings of the 28th/29th there will be a Victorian Ghost stories sessions which is strictly for adults only!<br />
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<a href="http://welhat.gov.uk/specialeventdays"><b>Family Halloween event at Mill Green Museum - Welwyn Garden City</b></a><br />
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If you're not keen on trick or treating or have young children then this could be the perfect event for you. This picturesque old water mill will be the 'softly spooky' location for a fun family event on the 31st October. Come along for story telling, potion making, a costume parade and lots more. There will even be some Ghost Beer to keep you in good spirits (get it!).<br />
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If you are planning a bargain <b>Halloween in Hertfordshire </b>this year then we have some great events happening at local shopping centres in the county. <a href="https://thegalleria.co.uk/">The Galleria in Hatfield</a> will be having some half term hocus pocus with a range of events or you could visit <a href="http://www.themarlowes.co.uk/events/2016/spooktactular-halloween-fun/"><b>The Marlowes in Hemel Hempstead</b></a> for their Spooktacular Halloween event on the 29th October, If you fancy a fiesta then the<a href="http://www.howardcentre.co.uk/whats-on/events"> <b>Howard Centre in Welwyn Garden City</b></a> will be celebrating the Day of the Dead on the 29th October with mask making and a giant skull in residence.<br />
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Whatever you decide to do I hope you have a very happy <b>Halloween in Hertfordshire</b>! </div>
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<b><i>Please do check websites for exact times, dates and pricing details before booking.</i></b><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-73194061419097243432016-10-13T03:19:00.003-07:002016-10-14T02:48:34.763-07:00Hertfordshire Apple Cake<br />
You might have heard of Dorset Apple Cake well this is my take on it using some lovely Hertfordshire Apples we collected on a visit to <a href="http://churchfarmardeley.co.uk/">Church Farm</a> near Stevenage.<br />
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I love this cake because it's so simple, so tasty and as it has fruit in it I can convince myself it's one of my 5 a day too (and yes I know it's probably not!).<br />
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My children loved collecting the different types of apples from the orchards and I think that anything that gets them interested in the provenance of their food has got to be good. If you can get hold of some homegrown apples that's great but if not then of course supermarket ones are fine too.<br />
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This is a deliciously crumbly cake that can be served warm with custard or cold with a slice of tea - perfect for those chilly Autumn months!<br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
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225g apples, peeled, cored and diced<br />
225g self raising flour<br />
115g butter<br />
115g soft brown sugar<br />
1 egg<br />
4-6 tablespoons milk<br />
2 tsp cinnamon<br />
1/2 nutmeg<br />
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<b>Method:</b><br />
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Heat the oven to 180 degrees (160 for fan ovens)<br />
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Crumble together the butter, flour and spices until you have a crumb like consistency<br />
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Beat in the egg and slowly add the milk<br />
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Finally add in the apples and fold in<br />
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Place into your tin and bake for around 40-50 minutes<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-20215402351368490262016-07-25T11:53:00.002-07:002016-07-25T11:53:44.818-07:00Win Tickets To Willows Farm!<br />
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It's not just any birthday this year - it's a Peter Rabbit themed birthday that's going to be celebrated at the wonderful Willows Farm!<br />
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2016 marks 150 years since the birth of beloved children's author Beatrix Potter who wrote the much loved Peter Rabbit series.<br />
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To celebrate her birthday Hertfordshire Mummy has teamed up with Willows Activity Farm, based in St Albans to offer you a chance to win a visit to the Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground which opened at the popular family attraction earlier this year. We've been for a visit and it's great fun for all the family!<br />
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Beatrix Potter was born on 28th July 1866 and she wrote 24 children's books, including the world famous Tale of Peter Rabbit. Now her timeless characters are the stars of a hit animated TV series on CBeebies, developed by Silvergate Media for the next generation of fans.<br />
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At Willows children can explore the world of Peter Rabbit - climbing through the benjamin Bunny Treetop Adventure, picking oversize radishes by the Mr McGregor Garden Shed and making tea in the Mrs Tiggy-Winkle Kitchen!<br />
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Peter Rabbit and Lily Bobtail are at Willows daily, meeting and greeting guests as well as staring in their own live shows. Fans will also love the Peter Rabbit themed birthday parties Willows offer for little ones.<br />
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You can find out more about Willows Activity Farms at <a href="http://www.willowsactivityfarm.com/"><b>www.willowsactivityfarm.com</b></a><br />
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Why not give them a like on Facebook or follow @Willows_Farm on Twitter<br />
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<b>I'm really excited to be able to offer you the chance to meet Peter Rabbit at Willows Activity Farm with your family this summer. To win simply answer the following question:</b><br />
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<b>When is Beatrix Potter's birthday?</b><br />
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<b>1. 18th June</b><br />
<b>2. 28th July</b><br />
<b>3. 3rd August</b><br />
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<b>You can either tweet me your answer to @hertsmummy1 using the hashtag #Beatrix150 or leave it in the comment box below (remember to add a way that I can contact you).</b><br />
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Please not that there is no alternative prize or cash equivalent. Travels to Willows Activity Farm is not included. Competition closes on 5th August 2016.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-49558782490067002682016-07-05T11:45:00.001-07:002016-07-25T11:56:18.965-07:00Flapjacks Made With Condensed Milk<br />
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I love flapjacks but sadly to date I have never actually managed to make a flapjack that didn't either stubbornly refuse to stick together or end up burnt and over crisp. That's why I was quite intrigued to learn that the word on the street (ok the internet) was that condensed milk was the secret ingredient for perfect flapjacks.<br />
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So as I had a spare hour today I thought I would try it and I was very impressed with the result. I slightly adapted the recipe as I only had quick cook oats but these actually worked really well and gave them a very soft consistency - imagine a yummy cake/biscuit hybrid!<br />
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They are quick and easy to make and went down very well with the kids as an afterschool snack. Also as they have oats in I have convinced myself that they are healthy too!<br />
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So here's my no-fail flapjack recipe;<br />
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
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150g butter<br />
100g brown sugar<br />
2 tablespoons golden syrup<br />
1/2 can carnation condensed milk (or any other brand you can find)<br />
275g quick cook oats<br />
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<b>Method:</b><br />
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Turn your oven to approx 150 degrees centegrade<br />
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Begin by placing a saucepan over a low heat and gently melting the butter until it has all turned liquid.<br />
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Then add the sugar and gently stir it in as it starts to melt, add the golden syrup straight away and mix it all together until it is dissolved and blended.<br />
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Pour in the condensed milk and stir until blended again - it should be a lovely toffee colour now, let it simmer gently for around 40 seconds.<br />
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Finally take your gorgeously gooey mixture off the hob and stir in the oats until they are totally covered.<br />
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Press them down into a cake tin (You should grease this well but I recommend using non stick baking paper as it makes the flapjacks much easier to lift out)<br />
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Pop them in the oven and leave for around 10-15 minutes for a soft bake. You could leave them slightly longer if you prefer them crispier but keep a close eye on them as they cook quickly.<br />
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When they are ready take them out and let them cool down. Pop them in the fridge for about an hour and then cut into squares ready to eat<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-36940751421449039432016-04-27T01:13:00.003-07:002017-01-14T12:52:25.610-08:00Girl Meets Golf - Golf Taster Days In Hertfordshire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LUcCGuGAKS4/VyBzVqBompI/AAAAAAAADbQ/yDPvqPc_HFMv6Fo2hauRuWtw8aXBSnUrACLcB/s1600/girlmeetsgolf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LUcCGuGAKS4/VyBzVqBompI/AAAAAAAADbQ/yDPvqPc_HFMv6Fo2hauRuWtw8aXBSnUrACLcB/s320/girlmeetsgolf1.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="line-height: 19.6px;">If you want to get fit, make friends and get out in the fresh air then have you ever thought about trying out a day on the golf course? More and more women in the UK are getting into playing golf, and golf professionals such as </span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; line-height: 1.4em;">Lydia Ko</span><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 19.6px;">and</span><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; line-height: 1.4em;">Charley Hull</span><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 19.6px;">are moving the image of the sport away from the dated stereotype of it being a traditional sport for older men!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999;">So why is golf so great for you? Well firstly and most importantly it's fun! Golf is a really sociable sport and a brilliant way to meet new friends and catch up with old ones. There's plenty of time for a good old chat as you make your way around the course, and if you take it at a leisurely pace you won't be too puffed out to talk. Being outdoors is also a proven way of improving your mood - lowering your stress and increasing your self-esteem. And for those of us who might have over-indulged recently (naming no names!) an 18 hole game of golf uses up at least 900 calories so if you are looking for a fun way to keep fit then it's the perfect solution. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">However we know that it can often be a bit daunting trying out a new sport for the first time and so the brilliant <span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.4em;">Girl Meets Golf</span> have come up with a fantastic idea – golf taster days that are just for us girls! They are running these days at a range of stunning <span style="box-sizing: content-box; line-height: 1.4em;">Hertfordshire venues (as well as others in the South East)</span> and they promise to be a brilliant day out.</span></div>
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The golf taster days typically start with tea, coffee and pastries as you get to meet your fellow golfers (well, you’ll need to keep your strength up for the day ahead!). Then you’ll head out onto the <span style="box-sizing: content-box; line-height: 1.4em;">course</span> and spend the morning getting golf coaching from a PGA professional. This is your chance to find out a bit more about the sport and ask any questions that you may have. When the morning’s over you’ll come back inside for a tasty lunch which includes a glass of wine or a soft drink. <span style="box-sizing: content-box; line-height: 1.4em;">After lunch there's some more coaching followed by another coffee or tea and wrap-up by the pro. </span>You can then relax those tired muscles in the venue’s spa facility or just chill out with your new friends.</div>
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What’s more if you are looking for something a little bit different for a hen do, a special birthday or even a day out with your work colleagues then the <span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.4em;">Girl Meets Golf</span> team can arrange your very own golf taster day – catered to your every need. They even offer vouchers so that you can give a friend or loved one a fantastic day out as a birthday treat!</div>
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Sometimes it’s nice to bring a friend along so<span style="box-sizing: content-box; line-height: 1.4em;"> there are</span> special discounts for friends booking together<span style="box-sizing: content-box; line-height: 1.4em;">. The taster days are run in smallish groups (of normally 6 to 8) so places are limited and it pays to book as early as possible to make the most of them.</span></div>
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I think these golf taster days sound amazing and it’s a fantastic initiative to get women more involved in golf. If you’d like to find out more about <span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.4em;">Girl Meets Golf</span> then you can find them on<span style="color: #0b5394;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Girl-Meets-Golf-1709038755994824/?fref=ts">Facebook</a> </span>or book your day out online <a href="http://goo.gl/oj8whq" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: content-box; line-height: 1.4em; word-break: break-word;" target="_blank"> here</a>.</div>
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If you have any questions about their taster days they are always happy to have a chat so give them a ring on 01727 750779.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-72250739037238396702016-03-27T10:24:00.001-07:002016-10-24T06:38:38.338-07:00Down On The Farm With Peter Rabbit and Friends!<div style="text-align: left;">
There's nothing we like more as a family than to get down on the farm! The kids are animal mad and a day's fresh air is what we all need to blow away the cobwebs of winter as we head towards the spring. So we are very lucky to live near the wonderful Willows Activity Farm which is based in St Albans in lovely Hertfordshire. </div>
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We've been going to Willows for a number of years and it's always been a brilliant day out which has been enjoyed by both the adults and the children! We were really excited to find out that they will be opening a brand new Peter Rabbit themed playground at Easter which uses all of the latest in play technology to help entertain the kids and maybe give their tired parents a break too!</div>
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We were even more excited when we were invited for a sneak peak at this brilliant play park and we found out that Peter Rabbit was going to pop in to say hello as well. We were instantly impressed with the new play park. I thought that the Willows brand fitted really well with Peter Rabbit and what better time to open than the 150th year of Beatrix Potters birth.</div>
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We found out that over £1 million has been invested in this fantastic new feature and it's clearly been very well thought out. As ever children are at the heart of what Willows is all about and the playground has really been designed to encourage their imaginations - bringing much loved characters to life. Features include The Peter Rabbit Secret Treehouse and the Jeremy Fisher Music Pond. The kids were fascinated by going inside the child-sized Mrs Tiggywinkle's Kitchen and we thought that it all looked really exciting. </div>
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We then went on to meet the man himself (or should that be the rabbit himself) Peter! Even my cynical 7 year old enjoyed having a hug and we went off to explore the rest of the farm. I really like the fact that everything at Willows is included so you never have to say 'no' to the children.<i> </i>Both children loved the many rides but I think their favourite part was meeting the animals in the animal barn. It was lovely for them to be able to get so close and feed horses, lambs and baby goats.</div>
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We had a wonderful day at Willows Activity Farm and will definitely be coming back to explore the world of Peter Rabbit again!</div>
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<i>If you would like to find out more then you can visit the Willows website at<b><a href="http://www.willowsactivityfarm.com/"> http://www.willowsactivityfarm.com/</a> </b>for prices and opening times or why not say hello to them on Twitter @willows_farm</i></div>
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<i><br /></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-4811182207784641892016-03-13T06:27:00.000-07:002017-01-14T12:52:39.497-08:00Half Term Fun at the Hatfield Galleria<div style="text-align: left;">
As a busy mum with two very active children I'm always on the look out for great things to do in the school holidays. Keeping the kids happy (and me happy too!) can be hard work especially when the weather is not so good.</div>
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That's why we feel very lucky to live near the Galleria in Hatfield. This is not only a shopping centre but it also has a cinema, a wide range of restaurants for every taste and a soft play frame too. They are also very child focused and always put on a range of great activities for children over the holiday period.</div>
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So in the half term holidays we headed down to see what was on offer! Firstly I have to say that I really like the fact that there's lots of parking at the Galleria so you don't have to worry about where to park which is great if you are a bit of a reluctant driver - like me!</div>
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In February the Galleria were hosting a snowboard simulator where children could have a got at balancing on a snowboard and pit their skills against others by seeing how long they could stay on for. Both my children are naturally quite adventurous and could't wait to get on the snowboard. They had a fabulous time trying to stay on even if it wasn't for quite as long as the reigning champion!</div>
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Then in was time to burn off a bit of energy at Get Wild the brilliant soft play frame at the Galleria. The children raced off onto the frame and I had a bit of time to have a coffee and take a look at the paper. We go to lots of different soft play centres and Get Wild is definitely one of our favourites as it is airy and out in the open and as there is only one exit it feels very safe. Both children had a great time racing around and exploring all the different slides and climbing areas.</div>
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After all that activity it was time for a bit to eat and whilst I probably would have chosen to go to Chiquitos or Prezzo the vote from the children for a MacDonalds was unanimous! We went and got a happy meal to take home with us to the children's delight. All in all we had a lovely morning out at the Galleria. It was good to have somewhere to go as it was raining so we couldn't do any of our usual outside activities. I would definitely recommend the Galleria if you are looking for a fab day out with the kids in the school holidays and I know they have some exciting things planned for the Easter break.</div>
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To find out more about what the Galleria has to offer why not visit their website <a href="http://thegalleria.co.uk/">http://thegalleria.co.uk/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-14634114676713453102016-02-21T05:43:00.003-08:002016-02-21T05:43:47.488-08:00Family Film Review - Bill <br />
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Now the children are a bit older we love chilling out in front of a good film with a large bowl of popcorn on a Saturday night. However the children are at that difficult age where they have grown out of 'babyish' films but are not quite ready for some films aimed at older children. It's also often hard to find a film that me and my husband can enjoy as well. So, as you can imagine we were really excited to review Bill as it seemed to tick all of our boxes. We love the Tudors and Tudor history and the children got into the spirit by wearing their Tudor outfits!</div>
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We're already big fans of Horrible Histories and Bill includes many of the key players from this great series. <span style="text-align: justify;">The star-studded British ensemble cast includes
</span><b style="text-align: justify;">Mathew Baynton </b><span style="text-align: justify;">(</span><i style="text-align: justify;">The Wrong Mans, You, Me and the Apocalypse</i><span style="text-align: justify;">), </span><b style="text-align: justify;">Simon Farnaby</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> (</span><i style="text-align: justify;">Paddington</i><span style="text-align: justify;">),
</span><b style="text-align: justify;">Martha Howe-Douglas</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> (</span><i style="text-align: justify;">Doctor Foster</i><span style="text-align: justify;">), </span><b style="text-align: justify;">Jim Howick</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> (</span><i style="text-align: justify;">Peep Show, Stag</i><span style="text-align: justify;">),
</span><b style="text-align: justify;">Helen McCrory</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> (</span><i style="text-align: justify;">Skyfall,</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Peaky Blinders</i><span style="text-align: justify;">) and
</span><b style="text-align: justify;">Damian Lewis </b><span style="text-align: justify;">(</span><i style="text-align: justify;">Homeland</i><span style="text-align: justify;">). </span><b style="text-align: justify;"><i>BILL</i></b><span style="text-align: justify;"> was written by two of its stars
– </span><b style="text-align: justify;">Laurence Rickard</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> and </span><b style="text-align: justify;">Ben Willbond</b><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Bill tells the tale of young Bill Shakespeare who sets out into the world to find fame and fortune with some </span>hilarious mishaps along the way. I loved the fact that the film combined humour with some fun historical facts and I really enjoyed the way that some of Shakespeare's most famous quotes were worked into the scripts - for example the band he joins at the start (yes didn't you know he was a rock lutenist?) is called 'Mortal Coil'.<br />
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The plot thickens as Shakespeare and his friend and sometimes rival Christopher Marlow attempt to foil the Kind of Spain's cunning scheme to get rid of Good Queen Bess and put himself on the throne of England instead!</div>
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The children really enjoyed the film and there were many snorts of laughter to be heard amongst the general chomping of popcorn and slurping of drinks (I bet you're glad we stayed at home to watch the film!). Us adults enjoyed it too and of course there was a little bit of history and literature thrown in too for good measure.</div>
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I'd really recommend this film as a treat for all the family and we hope to see more from the Horrible Histories and Bill team soon!</div>
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<b>If you think the Bard is bloomin brilliant then why not take a look at this fab infographic for some Tudor trivia!</b><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072333397411563772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8406091701901001528.post-8796474401883929812015-10-20T04:23:00.003-07:002015-10-20T04:23:35.485-07:00A Family Meal At Brewers Fayre<div style="text-align: left;">
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One of the things we love doing as a family is eating out. It's a great way of getting together and it also means no one has the stress of cooking (or washing up!). However as our family has grown it's got a bit more pricey to eat out so we are always on the look out for restaurants which offer a tasty range of food that is good value for money too.</div>
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We had heard about the <a href="http://www.brewersfayre.co.uk/pub-restaurant-menus/Hertfordshire/Airfield-Hatfield.html"><b>Autumn Daytime Value Menu at our local Brewers Fayre</b></a> and we knew they offered a great range of deals so me and my husband along with the kids and my dad headed off to our local Brewers Fayre at the Airfield in Hatfield for a bit to eat.</div>
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I find that when you go out to eat with children it can often be stressful as some restaurants can be less than keen on young diners so it was lovely to get greeted so warmly on our arrival at the restaurant. I also liked the fact that lots of the tables were in their own private booth areas so the children could have a play without disturbing any other customers. I also liked the fact that you could order your meal at the bar so we didn't have to wait too long until we got served.</div>
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The kids had a special Denis the Menace themed meals range and a workbook which they really liked and the lovely staff gave them a balloon to play with too which they were thrilled with. They both chose the burgers (as did I) and my dad had a sausage in Yorkshire pudding and my husband had the carvery. When our meals came we were all very impressed and the sound of family chatter was replaced by that of happy munching! The food was delicious and the portion sizes were filling and I think they represented good value for money. </div>
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Although the deserts looked lovely us adults were far to full to have deserts but the children were very happy with their dipping doughnuts. I managed to persuade my son to let me have a taste and can confirm they were indeed extremely yummy!</div>
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We finished our meal feeling full and happy and relaxed which is exactly how you should feel after a family meal out. We'll definitely visit the Airfield again and try out another of their great meals!</div>
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