Review: Sambro Paw Patrol Craft Egg

When you think of Easter, one of your first thoughts is probably about chocolate eggs. In recent years there have been a few changes to the eggs kids might find left by the Easter bunny, and not all of them are now made of chocolate. 

It’s also nice to be able to give something that won’t be gobbled up in five minutes, especially as my son usually gets given a lot of chocolate eggs. We’ve been gifting a combination of chocolate eggs and play eggs for the last few years, much to the delight of my son. This week we received the Paw Patrol Craft Egg from Sambro to put to the test.

Review: Paw Patrol Craft Egg

The Paw Patrol Craft Egg is ideal for little artists who enjoy being creative and who like to have fun creating, painting and drawing. The Craft Egg is a great way to encourage and develop their creativity and imagination. Plus it will also keep your little ones busily entertained for a while.

Review: Paw Patrol Craft Egg

He was incredibly excited when he saw the Paw Patrol Craft Egg sat waiting for him on the table.  I helped him peel the wrapper off (which is tricky and will probably need a grown-up and a pair of sharp scissors) and then he opened up the egg.

The Paw Patrol Craft Egg contains:

  • 4 Marker Pens
  • 4 Crayons
  • 2 Ink Pads
  • 2 Stampers
  • 2 Finger Paint Pots
  • 10 Paw Patrol Colouring Sheets

Review: Paw Patrol Craft Egg

He was absolutely delighted with his Paw Patrol Craft Egg. Once we’d unpacked it and looked at everything inside, he diligently sat colouring the pictures in and stamping them with his new Paw Patrol ink stamps. He happily crafted and coloured away for over an hour. 

I think he will come back to his craft egg several times over the next few days. He has already coloured in the ten pictures which were included, but with the paint, felt tips, crayons and ink pads included, I am sure he will create a number of artworks over the Easter break. 

The Paw Patrol Craft Egg from Sambro costs £5.99 and is a good alternative to the traditional chocolate egg. There are a number of different craft eggs to choose from which include Minions, My Little Pony, Shimmer & Shine and Disney Princesses. The Paw Patrol egg is available in pink or blue. They are available from a range of retailers, but I’ve seen them online in both Amazon and Ocado.

 

Check out our giveaways over on our competitions page.

Review: Paw Patrol Craft Egg PLUS Win a Minions Craft Egg

How to organise your own Easter Egg Hunt

One of my favourite things to do on Easter Sunday is to set up an Easter egg hunt for my son. He’s 6 now, but he still believes in the Easter bunny and I have no wish at all to shatter his illusions. Easter egg hunts are pretty easy to put together and lots of fun to take part in.

Easter Traditions: Cadbury Easter Eggs and tall tales

Here are my top tips for setting up an Easter egg hunt.

Step 1:
Buy some Easter eggs. I like to get a selection of sizes and colours to hide in the garden. Make sure you buy enough to share fairly equally between the Easter egg hunters. I tend to get a couple of medium sized eggs and then some smaller ones for the hunters to seek out. You don’t have to stick to Easter eggs, you can also mix things up and add some Easter sweets too.

Step 2:
Count the eggs and sweets before you hide them and try to make a mental note of where you’ve hidden them.

Step 3:
On Easter Sunday I am usually tasked with distracting the boy whilst my other half scurries around the garden hiding the eggs in obvious and not so obvious places. If you can do this just before the hunt without anyone noticing you’ve got a better chance of finding everything and it’s less likely that the local wildlife will find your goodies and eat them for you.

Step 4:
Don’t forget your bucket or basket to put your Easter bounty in.

Step 5:
Go hunting! Have fun, don’t forget to take some photographs. See if you can find an egg and get away with keeping it all to yourself.

Since last Easter we’ve got a new puppy and she is into absolutely everything. If you’ve got a new puppy, or an older dog it’s worth remembering that chocolate is very bad for them. So sadly our puppy, Penny will not be able to join in with the Easter egg hunt. She will have to stay on her lead just to make sure she doesn’t snaffle any goodies she shouldn’t have.

Will you have Easter egg hunt at home? What are your top tips for a successful hunt?

How to organise your own Easter Egg Hunt

If you enjoyed this, you might like to try painting your own Easter eggs.

A weird thing happened in the park today

Today I met some friends and their kids in the park for a picnic. It’s half term here and we wanted to try encourage the kids to run some off their excess energy. I had a lovely time, we all had a lovely time.

After a couple of hours we were ready for a coffee, so we ambled over to the cafe in the park and sat outside and watched the kids playing. We were chatting and one of my friends pointed at a woman in the distance and waved. She came over and said hello, we were introduced to each other and she recognised me. She reads my blog! (Hello Sarah *waves*). It’s weird to be recognised.

It’s weird being recognised. I’m not famous, or special, or especially gifted in any particular way. But when I write blog posts, I know people will read them, but I don’t imagine they will. Sometimes hundreds or thousands of people will read the words I write, these words I write, but when I sit at my laptop and write about my thoughts or feelings, or my struggle with my anxiety, I don’t imagine for one single second someone will actually read it or relate to it. But they do. 

Sometimes when I’m pouring my thoughts and feelings out onto my keyboard, someone will read my words and relate to them. Knowing that you are not the only one having these thoughts and feelings can actually really help. I’m not actually helping anyone, I don’t have a cure or a magic bullet to make anyone feel better about themselves, least of all me, but not being alone in feeling anxious or depressed and not feeling so alone can be some comfort. 

I don’t write about my mental health because I’m attention seeking. I don’t do it for clicks or to win awards (because I’ve not won any for a start). I don’t do it so people will pat me on the head and say there there. I write about my mental health because it gets it out of my head and articulating my thoughts and feelings makes me feel better inside.

When I started blogging, about 80% of what I wrote about was awful dirge about the spiralling mess my life was in. That percentage has thankfully dropped and my blog posts about my mental health hopefully read less like a girl falling into an abyss, but a woman who is more in control of things and able to mostly nip things in the bud before worrying things happen. And I thank my blog for that, for the most part anyway.

I guess what I’m wittering on about in my round-about kind of way is talk. There’s no shame in having anxiety or depression, or whatever. Find someone to talk to, find an outlet for all the swirling thoughts in your head and I promise once you open up in whatever way suits you best, you will start to decode the things inside your head. You will figure out your triggers and the things to do and the things to avoid. You will be better, not cured but better.

Things won’t always be as dark as they can be. Talk about it, open up, write a blog. Who knows, you might even get to be as not-famous as me one day.

A weird thing happened today in the park thoughts and feelings

If you’re interested in reading more posts about Mental Health and general thoughts and feelings on the matter, my blog posts can be found here.

Preview: Running Wild at The Lowry, Salford Quays

This spring, catch the UK Tour of Running Wild, based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo and adapted for stage by Samuel Adamason. Running Wild is coming to The Lowry, Salford Quays from 18-22 April 2017.

Michael Morpurgo’s novel, Running Wild, is loosely based on the true story of a girls survival of the 2004 Tsunami. This wonderful and inspiring story is brought to life in this award-winning production. Originally produced by Regent’s Park Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre; this epic production comes complete with spectacular life-size puppets and tells an emotional and moving story of love, loss and loyalty and of living for the moment.

Preview: Running Wild at The Lowry, Salford Quays

Running Wild is the story is of a girl called Lilly, who, whilst on holiday with her mother in Indonesia, takes an elephant ride.  During the ride, Oona, the elephant, suddenly becomes anxious and runs from the beach deep into the jungle.  With Lilly on her back, they escape moments before the tsunami hits the island.  Miles from civilisation, at first there’s wonder, discovery and tree-top adventures with the orangutans. Eventually her thoughts turn to her mother left behind on the beach, and wild tigers prowl, and hunger hits, Lilly must now learn to survive the rainforest.  And then the hunters come…

Preview: Running Wild at The Lowry, Salford Quays
Michael Morpurgo is the former children’s laureate and the acclaimed author of War Horse. He was inspired by the real-life story of Amber Owen, who was on holiday in Phuket with her mother and stepfather in 2004. When she went on an elephant ride along the beach, the girl noticed the elephant was trying to pull away from the receding sea water.  “He ran away and, as the water came in, I was safely on his back.  He saved my life.”

When he read Amber’s story in the newspaper, Michael Morpurgo said it was the one bit of hope amid the devastation of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.  The production supports the Born Free Foundation’s global elephant conservation projects.

This production of Running Wild is suitable for ages 6+ and has a running time of 90 minutes with a 20 minute interval.

Running Wild is on at The Lowry, Salford Quays 18 – 22 April 2017. To book tickets call the Box office on 0843 208 6000 or visit The Lowry website.

Interiors: Melody Maison – Shabby Chic furniture & accessories

Like many people, spring is the time I tend to look around my home with fresh eyes and start to think about re-decorating, decluttering and re-organising things. It’s also a great time to really ring the changes and invest in new furniture or accessories. In recent years, vintage and shabby chic furniture has been one of the key home interiors looks. Specialists in vintage, French and shabby chic furniture, Melody Maison are one of the leading companies specialising in this style. I’ve been finding out a little more about them.

Melody Maison was started in 2004 a small spare bedroom in Yorkshire. The company grew into a leading retailer of shabby French Chic and vintage style home furnishings.

Vintage & Shabby Chic Furniture from Melody Maison PLUS Giveaway

Melody Maison is a real family business, with cousins, brothers, aunties and daughters all working together. They pride themselves on exceptional customer service, with everyone striving to provide the very best service every step of the way.

They design, manufacture and distribute French style furniture all over the world. Their range of furniture is either designed by and made exclusively for Melody Maison, or sourced from selected suppliers. 

“French style” can mean so many things in interior design. From the understated pale aged shabby chic look, to the ornate and grand rococo style, to boudoir style chic using jewelled colours paired with gold. French style furniture is rarely modern in design. Vintage and shabby chic styles are full of character and can give your home a bespoke one-of-a-kind look.

Their website is full of so many gorgeous pieces of furniture and accessories for every room in your home, including clocks, lights and mirrors. I’ve quite fallen for this White Wooden Window Pane Mirror which I think would look fantastic in a conservatory, or in a sheltered spot in the garden perhaps.

Vintage & Shabby Chic Furniture from Melody Maison

This Window Pane Mirror is made from wood to look like a rectangular window with 2 sides and panes of mirror where glass would be.  It is painted white with a washed finish to look aged, and it can be wall mounted. Its dimensions are 49cm wide x 58cm tall.

Visit the Melody Maison website to see their full range of vintage and shabby chic furniture and accessories.

What’s the 30 Day Movie Challenge all about?

Last month I took part in the 30 Day Music Challenge on Twitter. Each day using a set of prompts I tweeted a link to a piece of music which fit the bill. It was an interesting and enjoyable experiment, and it made me think about and revisit some music I’d not listened to in  years. I enjoyed the challenge so much that this April I’m going to be taking part in the 30 Day Movie Challenge. 

Each day I will send a tweet based on the list of prompts below. I think the first one, for me at least will be a particularly hard one. What is my favourite movie? Honestly I don’t know, it depends on my mood on any given day. 

30 Day Movie Challenge

It’s really easy to take part, just tweet along with me each day and use the hashtag #30DayMovieChallenge. If you like you can include a YouTube clip, gif or image from the movie you have chosen on that day, but that’s not essential. Try not to pick the same movie more than once. You might also want to say why you have chosen that movie, but 140 Twitter characters can be a bit restrictive I know.

If you are late to the party, don’t worry, you don’t need to do it at the same time as me; but it is more fun if you’re tweeting along with a little group of you. So find a friend or two and and join in the 30 Day Movie Challenge.

Don’t forget the hashtag #30DayMovieChallenge and feel free to tag me on Twitter, I’d love to see your movie choices. Who knows, it might introduce me to some great films I’ve never heard of!

I’m aiming to do an update post at the end of the month documenting my movie choices, so watch this space.

Good luck with your 30 Day Movie Challenge!

Review: Home Fragrances from Quinn Lilly

Like many people I love to have scented candles around the house. I like different fragrances at different times of the year. Right now I’m all about fresh zesty scents to liven up my home. Now I’m a parent I try not to have lit candles around my son, so candles are reserved for after his bedtime.

A few years ago I discovered reed diffusers, which are ideal if you enjoy home fragrances, but without the worry of burning a candle around children or pets (or if like me, you forget and accidentally leave it burning all night long). I always have at least one in the house these days. I’ve recently been introduced to Quinn Lilly, a luxury home fragrance brand based in Scotland. They specialise in reed diffusers, glass candle jars, travel tins, fragrance oils and car air fresheners.

Quinn Lilly started making candles and other home fragrances in 2015. They work to create high quality soy wax candles and other natural fragrances which are sourced from different parts of the world. They strive to ensure their products are environmentally friendly and use combinations of natural soy wax and oils to try to create cleaner products. Soy wax is free from pesticides and herbicides, which make the wax eco friendly and cleaner for the environment and your home too.

They have four signature fragrance collections to choose from – Grapefruit & Mimosa, Lavender & Rosemary, Lime Basil & Mandarin and Pomegranate. Plus a range of other fragrance products available.

Home Fragrances from Quinn Lilly PLUS Win a Reed Diffuser

Quinn Lilly’s luxury reed diffusers last for around three months and cost just £12.99. They’re stylish, elegant and are ideal for discrete fragrancing in any room of your home. With a range of beautiful fragrances available, which would you choose?

To view the full range of Quinn Lilly candles, reed diffusers and other home fragrance products, visit their website.

Things to do in Manchester: Easter 2017

I was checking my diary this morning and realised with a slight sense of panic that my son breaks up from school this Friday. Easter is a few short weeks away and between now and then I have two weeks of school holiday to fill. I do enjoy having the boy wonder at home, but now the weather is a bit better I feel we ought to get out and do stuff.

We have plans for a couple of days in Blackpool to see the sights and hopefully get on the beach, but it’s good to have a few things closer to home to do. I’ve picked out a few things to do around Manchester over the Easter 2017 holidays.

Things to do in Manchester: Easter 2017

 Whitworth Art Gallery

Last week I visited the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester for the first time ever. I’m slightly ashamed that in the 40 years I’ve been alive and living in Manchester I’ve never visited before. The (closing soon) Andy Warhol exhibition drew me in, but I was impressed and in awe of virtually everything I clapped eyes on.

I already knew they had an impressive and inclusive arts programme for families. When I spied the Art Hampers on my visit, I knew we’d be back to put them to the test.

Just pick up an Art Hamper, they’re free and available any time during gallery opening hours. The Art Hampers are filled with materials for you to get inspired and make, draw and build anywhere in the gallery. Let your imagination and creativity run wild, but don;t forget to return your hamper at the end of your visit.

For more information about the Art Hampers, or the other family events during Easter 2017 at the Whitworth Art Gallery, visit their website.

SHIFT / Cheshire East

SHIFT is a vibrant and interactive programme celebrating all things digital in Cheshire East. From exhibitions and workshops to talks and hands on making – SHIFT is full of inspiring and creative events for all ages and abilities. During Easter 2017, SHIFT have a range of digital activities for tech savvy families.

On Saturday 8th April at Sandbach Library learn about Interactive LED Art (BBC Micro: bit). Ideal for ages 7+. Get your LEDs flashing and learn to program the Micro:bit LED display to create interactive bitmap art that responds to movement and button presses. The possibilities are endless. Places are free but advance booking is advisable via the library: 01270 375355.

On Monday 10th April at Handforth Library, learn about Animations in Minecraft (ages 5+). Go along to combine coding, making and tech to create 8-bit animations in Minecraft using physical punchcards, powered by PatternCraft. In this free and interactive workshop you’ll learn basic computing and code, and have fun! Places are free but advance booking is advisable via the library: 01625 378272.

The Museum of Science and Industry

Experience the amazing power of steam, water and electricity at MSI, Manchester. Activities run from April 1st to April 17th. Admission to the museum is free, there may be a small charge for some activities

The Museum of Science and Industry is powering up for Easter 2017. Whether it’s the power of water, steam or electricity – experience the sights, thundering sounds and astonishing power of the museum’s machines, muscles and contraptions as they burst into life through a series of hands-on demonstrations, workshops and shows for everyone.

For more information about what’s on at MSI over Easter, visit their website.

Waterside Arts Centre

The Waterside Arts Centre in Sale have lots going on over Easter, but this show caught my eye, Mush Ado About Puffin on Saturday 29 April 2017.

Things to do in Manchester: Easter 2017

Join Open Attic as they sail the stormy seas to bring you this funny tale about a man all alone; a friendly puffin, and a whole lot of fuss over nothing. Much Ado About Puffin is about old habits, new friendships, and stepping out into the unknown! Suitable for ages 4+.

Merlin attractions in Manchester

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Manchester has just re-opened after a huge refurb and has a brand new LEGO Ninjago City Adventure play feature with a Ninjago Training Camp, Ninjago Build Table, Ninja Skill training, Interactive Adventure playground and a Rotating Climbing Wall, Sounds pretty awesome, especially for Ninjago fans!

At Manchester’s SEALIFE Centre, on 1st and 2nd April visit the Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s The Snail and The Whale event at SEA LIFE. Experience this beloved children’s book as you follow the story around the centre through an amazing underwater world.

Don’t forget to decorate your very own ‘Snail Rock’ with a ‘Save The Whale’ message to display at the centre and support marine wildlife conservation.

SEA LIFE Blackpool

Open Day – Helly Hansen Watersports Centre, Salford Quays

If you are interested in trying out watersports this Easter, Salford Leisure are hosting a family Open Day at the Helly Hansen Watersports Centre at Salford Quayson 16th April 2017.

The event is FREE and includes face painting, arts and crafts, a climbing wall, a bouncy castle and various stalls. Plus the Easter bunny will be paying a visit to Salford Quays and hiding eggs for a special Easter Egg Hunt.

For a small fee of £4, adults and children aged 8+ can book hour-long taster sessions in sailing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, powerboating, polo training and so much more.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy, so bring the whole family for a fun day out. Just don’t forget your towel!
Things to do in Manchester: Easter 2017

There’s always so much to do in and around Manchester during Easter 2017. If you’ve got any suggestions please feel free to comment below. I’d love to hear what you’ve got planned!

Books: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – Nature Guide Books

We are long time fans of the children’s story book, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. It’s a lovely story with lots of scope for learning about and talking about nature and the outdoors. I confess I always feel a little bit sad for the bear at the end. He just looks like he wants to make friends. Poor bear, I’d be his friend.

This week we got our human paws on two new books inspired by the children’s classic; We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. The books are both published on 6th April 2017 and are available from all good book shops.

Books: We're Going on a Bear Hunt - Nature Guide Books

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: My Adventure Field Guide (£6.99, Walker Books) is a fun field guide, it features some of the artwork from the animated Bear Hunt film which was shown over Christmas. This adventure field guide is packed with information and facts. It is ideal for young nature lovers (and their not quite so young parents).

The guide has a wealth of facts about plants and animals, bugs and birds, clouds, the night sky, the weather, and so much more. For both city and country kids there is so much to discover, from urban streets to the remotest forest. The guide is fact packed, but also has some recipes, science projects, and tips for how children can help protect the environment. 

Books: We're Going on a Bear Hunt - Nature Guide Books

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: My Explorer’s Journal (£8.99, Walker Books) is a brilliant interactive journal for young explorer’s to record, create and experience the natural world. This is a companion to We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: An Adventure Field Guide. It is the perfect place for young nature enthusiasts to record their outdoor experiences; the animals and plants they’ve seen, weather conditions, cloud formations and much, much more.

With lots of space to write or draw what they discover, as well as stick in leaves and flowers. The journal has suggestions for easy art and nature-inspired projects to complete, and invites you to explore the natural world around you. Be inspired by nature and create a keepsake journal of your outdoor adventures.

We spent some time looking through both the guide and the journal. We’re planning some nature walks over the Easter break and these will be perfect to explore as a family. 

Both books are beautifully illustrated, children and fans of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt will love them. I think they’re a great way to develop and encourage a love of nature and the world around us.

This post contains affiliate links.

Take part in the 30 Day Music Challenge

Over the last 30 days I’ve been taking part in the #30DayMusicChallenge over on Twitter. It’s something I’ve enjoyed doing, it’s made me listen to more music than usual and it’s made me think a bit more about things. The 30 Day Music Challenge is pretty easy, the hard part is remembering to do it each day.

30 Day Music Challenge

To take part, you will need the list of prompts and each day you tweet a link to the song which fits. Just for my own interest, I’ve kept a record of the songs I’d chosen for my 30 Day Music Challenge. The list in full is below. What songs would you choose?

Day 1. A song you like with a colour in the title – The Stone Roses – Fools Gold

Day 2. A song you like with a number in the title – The Wonder Stuff- Room 512 All the news that’s fit to print

Day 3. A song that reminds you of summertime – DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Summertime

Day 4. A song that reminds you of someone you’d rather forget about – Nine Inch Nails – Closer

Day 5. A song that needs to be played LOUD – Rage Against The Machine – Wake Up

Day 6. A song that makes you want to dance – The Smiths – This Charming Man

Day 7. A song to drive to – Utah Saints – Something Good

Day 8. A song about drugs or alcohol – Oasis – Cigarettes and Alcohol

Day 9. A song that makes you happy – The Frank & Walters Fashion Crisis Hits New York

Day 10. A song that makes you sad – James – Protect Me

Day 11. A song that you never get tired of – The Stone Roses – I Wanna Be Adored

Day 12. A song from your pre-teen years – Duran Duran – Rio

Day 13. One of your favourite 70’s songs – Buzzcocks – Ever Fallen In Love (With Some You Shouldn’t)

Day 14. A song you’d love played at your wedding – Oasis – Married With Children

Day 15. A song that is a cover by another artist – Codeine – Atmosphere

Day 16. One of your favourite pieces of classical music – Claude Debussy : Clair de Lune

Day 17. A song you’d sing a duet with on karaoke – Islands In The Stream – Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton

Day 18. A song from the year you were born – Abba – Dancing Queen

Day 19. A song that makes you think about life – Bastille – Good Grief

Day 20. A song that has many meanings to you – The Verve – The Drugs Don’t Work

Day 21. A favourite song with a person’s name in the title – The Specials – A Message To You Rudy

Day 22. A song that moves you forward – The Wonder Stuff- Room 512 All the news that’s fit to print

Day 23. A song that everyone should listen to – The Baghdadies – Shri

Day 24. A song by a band you wish were still together – Aztec Camera – Good Morning Britain

Day 25. A song by an artist no longer living – Wham! – I’m Your Man

Day 26. A song that makes you want to fall in love – Elbow – Gentle Storm

Day 27. A song that breaks your heart – Johnny Cash – Hurt

Day 28. A song by an artist with a voice you love – Faith No More – King for a Day

Day 29. A song you remember from your childhood – The Rolling Stones – Jumpin’ Jack Flash

Day 30. A song which reminds you of yourself – Echo & The Bunnymen -Nothing Lasts Forever

I’ve created a playlist of my 30 Day Music Challenge if you’d like to have a listen to the songs I chose for this. I realise now I’ve written them down that I have chosen the same Wonder Stuff song twice, but it is one of my favourite songs, so I’m not surprised.

If you like music, then doing the 30 Day Music Challenge is an interesting thing to get involved in. What would you choose?