Thursday 31 March 2016

How to make a home for a hedgehog


Wondering what to do with the kids through the holiday? How about encouraging wildlife into your garden by making homes for hedgehogs. 


Spring is springing, nature is waking; now’s the time to make our hedgehog friends homes.

All you need is a cardboard box with an entrance hole cut out of it. (No bigger than 15 cms wide). Line it with straw and paper and put it next to a fence or hedge. Protect it from rain by covering it with a plastic bag - a bin liner is best - remembering to keep the entrance clear. 

Children will love to add camouflage such as stones, twigs, grass and other garden finds to keep it hidden. Hopefully your nest will prove a welcome home for Mrs Hedgehog to settle into now - just in time for her to have her babies in the Summer.


For more tips on how to encourage hedgehogs into your garden read this post

Wednesday 30 March 2016

The ballet - A joy for ALL to behold

MY first ballet happened to be the Christmas classic The Nutcracker. I took Esme Grace - my delighted 7YO - with me. Rather wonderfully, both of us were totally unaware of the magic we were letting ourselves in for.

Sunday 27 March 2016

Easter with HEMA



Thank you @Hema.UK for sending LIFE AS IT IS the great kiddie cake stand. Looks so bright and colourful. After Easter, the children plan to use it in their play kitchen - as well as bringing it out for parties evermore!

Hema stores can be found in Kingston, Bromley, London Victoria, Birmingham and London Stansted Airport.

Emma Oliver and the GraceFaith girls received goodies from HEMA in exchange for a review on the parenting/lifestyle blog LIFE AS IT IS.

For DISCLOSURE & DISCLAIMER, please view my page on LEGAL STUFF

13/52 The GraceFaith year long art project...

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year...

Wednesday 23 March 2016

Monday 21 March 2016

The Zoingo Boingo Pogo - A review

When I was approached to review the new Zoingo Boingo Pogo from Flair PLC, I jumped at it (no pun intended). You see the Zoingo Boingo is a flexible freestyle pogo outdoor toy, and I've lost count of how many years Esme has asked me for a pogo stick. The Zoingo is slightly different to what one immediately thinks of as a pogo stick; frankly this one lets you freestyle



Thursday 17 March 2016

Parenting is...

... sighing deeply (and/or muttering swear words under your breath) as you realise your 7yo has forgotten to flush her poo yet again.

Thursday 10 March 2016

HUNTING SEASON - Alternative Easter Egg finds...

Now we all know there's plenty of chocolate around at Easter, often too much it would seem, so for those parents hunting for some great alternative Easter gift ideas, here are my top five... (collaborating with publishing house Laurence King).


Tuesday 8 March 2016

Annual Easter Egg Hunt at West Dean Gardens - Easter with the kids



All children big and small love Easter Egg hunts and the idea of being rewarded with a small handmade chocolate treat, don't they? Well let the family join in the fun at the simply beautiful West Dean Gardens in West Sussex daily over the Easter, for they are offering Easter Egg trails from the 25th to the 28th of March from 9am – 5.00pm (last entry 4.00pm). 

INFO
Normal Adult gardens’ entry applies. 
Childrens entry to the gardens FREE although there is a small additional charge of £2.50 per child for the Easter Egg Trail, including two children’s activities and a small, handmade chocolate treat for completing the trail.
Free parking
Fancy a spot of afternoon tea? There's a shop and restaurant on site
Dogs welcome, on leads




Sunday 6 March 2016

10/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year...


What a happy Mother's Day! How I love this bowl Esme has made for me and how I will cherish eating my breakfast from it every single day! Thanks gorgeous girl. x

Thursday 3 March 2016

World Book Day today...

...and this year Esme's school is not participating in costume wearing - although Esme is for it also happens to be her assembly and she will be dressed as Pippi Longstocking later on this afternoon. Rather wonderfully, they are embracing the World Book Day theme. (Thought to self... goodness knows if the coat hanger wire in her hair will work?) I think perhaps the blog point I'm trying to make here is this... never mind dressing up, World Book Day is an annual reminder to read to our children, to encourage a love and lifetime of enjoying books, to support our local libraries, and overall, to express how interacting with the printed word can be every bit as good (indeed better) than a screen. Happy World Book Day one and all.

Julia Donaldson and Esme on stage, act out Julia's fabulous book 'A Squash and A Squeeze'