If you find yourself in the Lake District this Easter half term, I really recommend you seek out Beatrix Potter world but a true touch of Easter magic.  We have wanted to take the kids to one of our favourite places in the UK  at for a while and so when the opportunity to head over to the Lake District came up, we leapt at it.  We have always visited in autumn, generally doing a lot of walking and pubbing (is that a word? Feels  like it should be) but of course, visiting with under five year olds doesn't really lend itself to that. Of course we love to wander with the ..read more

I love kids' birthdays as it's a chance to get creative with planning parties. They don't have to big or expensive and the best ones have been the smaller parties planned at home and completely personalized to them. Somehow my littlest one, my lockdown baby, turned 3 and given he missed out on parties and most other things for 2 years, we wanted to make it extra special for him. Being so little, we decided to do a smallish at home party for him and a few friends and family, then have some days out.  He is absolutely animal obsessed and loves the outdoors, so I decided to throw a wo ..read more

Lately, has there been a prevailing knot in your chest each day? Does life seem to have gone back to warp speed where you hardly have a chance to catch your breath? Do feel like your life revolves around the kids, work, home and obligations on repeat?  Have you never felt more content but so lost at the same time? Do you crave peace, routine and ease but also miss excitement and spontaneity? Are you grieving for something you feel is lost, a loved one, a part of yourself, friends who have left, a career that could not be sustained in this season of life, or a level of health, youth, f ..read more

In a family of avid readers, nothing gives me greater pleasure than passing on my love of reading to my children. From when they were babies we would visit the library and curl up with books. As they get older and start school, there is less time for this sadly but marvelously they become independent readers. In the blink of an eye they are reading to you and to themselves and our role as parents is to encourage this love of reading through as many mediums as possible. Whether you have a bibliophile, a gamer, or comic lover, there is something out there for all children.  That's why ..read more

  I love this time of year for bringing a bit of extra sparkle to our homes, especially when its so dark and cold outside. Nothing can lift your mood more than seeing those twinkly lights and evergreen as you pass the houses down your street. I always love to add greenery to the front of the house with a festive wreath, to cheer people up as they walk by, and whether you go faux or real, it really doesn;t matter. You can buy pretty much all different shapes and sizes these days, or if you're feeling creative, head out into the woods and use fallen branches and every green to make your ..read more

We have always loved travel and bonded as a couple over throwing a holdall together and heading off on a new adventure every month. But as much as we wanted to share this passion immediately with our babies, having two under two and a pandemic in the mix slowed us down. Realism kicked in and we realised that saving our own sanity, what precious little sleep we were all getting and relaxation came first.  Since then, when we travel, as much as possible comfort comes first but now the kids are getting a little bit older we want to venture further afield.  As I finally got to atten ..read more

Autumn feels like the perfect time to start baking again. More time at home, indoors and the kitchen garden is bursting with fruit. This sticky pear and ginger cake is just the warming, comfort food we need this time of year.  It's not too sweet with the addition of pear and spices, but also enough to satisfy the cravings. A little bit rich a little bit gooey and reminds me a whole lot of sticky toffee pudding.  Yum! It can be enjoyed cold with a hot cup of tea, warmed through with cream or ice cream, or the ultimate comfort, with custard. Let me know how you get on if you make ..read more

When the days are busy and the fuse is short, everyone needs some good one pan meals to pull out of the bag. Especially as autumn rolls around, the light summer salads just don't cut it and we need hearty, healthy and filling meals.  This one pot wonder is just that! A gorgeous protein and veggie packed meal that will leave you feeling full and satisfied. It's also a winner for the kids, as it's potato and sausage, which are staples in this house.  For this Sausage and Gnocchi tray bake, you will need: - 1 pack of sausages (veggie or meat) - 3 x sweet potatoes (normal will do ..read more

It feels as far away as anything can possibly be when you first hold your first newborn bundle. Instead you are completely absorbed with the smell of their head, the many firsts and new developments they are conquering and marveling as they go from baby to toddler. But one day, in the not too distant future, that toddler becomes a preschooler and all too soon they are stood in a tiny uniform looking so cute and little, about to enter the big world of school. Yes you may have dealt with nursery anywhere from a few months old to when they became preschoolers, and that is whole other thing in ..read more

  With the nights being lighter and the days warm, it makes me really appreciate the changes we made to our old cottage in the renovation.  As a child I always preferred to be outdoors, appreciating the seasons but especially summer, and this has been a philosophy I've carried into adulthood and my home. I find being in the light very energizing. The cottage always had dual aspect windows in every room and that really attracted us to it, as it was so light and bright, but some of the flow just didn't work for a modern family home. We wanted it to accommodate a growing family ..read more