Top tips for the perfect Family Movie night!

When the nights are dark and cold, there's something really comforting about snuggling up under a blanket with the family and watching a good movie or two.

To celebrate The LEGO Batman Movie hitting the cinemas this weekend, the lovely folks at Warner Bros have asked me to share my top tips for a perfect family movie night.

Choose a theme!

Kids love a theme, so why not go all out? Get them to choose a movie or even a genre and dress up, do some crafts together such as making Batman masks or draw pictures of their favourite superheros.

Prepare snacks together!

A great tie in to the movie night theme is to prepare some themed snacks together! Why not bake a decorate some LEGO cupcakes, make sandwiches shaped like LEGO bricks or   Or even just colour in some cardboard popcorn holders?

Get Comfy!

Why not make movie night extra special by making a den to watch it from? Get together some bean bags or couch cushions on the floor cover in blankets and snuggle up together!

Turn off the tech!

It an obvious one but sometimes it just needs to be said, switch off your phones, laptops and tablets to get into the spirit of family time and watch the movie with your children. It may not be the most exciting thong to watch for grown ups but at least you'll be ale to chat to them about it fterwards and they'll kow you were paying attention!

And Enjoy!

With these tips you should be all ready to enjoy your next family movie night, have fun! We'll be enjoying a LEGO Superhero movie night this weekend and making some LEGO themed snacks to enjoy together...

I'd love to hear all about your perfect family movie nights! Do share your tips in the comments below...

Win a fabulous LEGO Superhero movie bundle over on Twitter

RT & Follow to #win this fab bundle of #WBLEGO DVDs https://t.co/yThiC1m8bO #LEGOBatmanMovie #FreebieFriday E:11/02 https://t.co/OQYB4U1324 pic.twitter.com/WV6USzcDqf

— Mymummyspennies (@Mymummyspennies) February 2, 2017

Twitter giveaway terms and conditions

• This giveaway is open to UK residents only.
• ONE winner will be chosen by a random number generator and announced on @mymummyspennies Twitter account, they will also be contacted by direct message on twitter.
• If they do not respond within 28 days another winner may be chosen.
• Your details will be passed to Warner Bros and will not be passed onto any third parties.
• The prize will be sent directly to the winner from Warner Bros.
• The company reserves the right to substitute the prize for one of a similar value if the stated prize is not available.
• Entries using any automated process to make bulk entries will be disqualified.
• Competition starts on 02/02/2017 and ends 11/02/2017 11.59pm.

Disclosure: We received a DVD bundle in exchange for writing this post.

Twenty Questions to ask your children...

Life at this time of year is busy. On top of the usual demands of both grown ups in our house working full time, commitments of a blog and a scout troop to run, school and clubs for the children, there is also the extra pull of festive events, plays, Christmas parties and more. Sometimes it feels like the whole family is constantly on the go and we barely have a moment to really talk to each other. So when Shepherds Friendly got in touch to tell me about their 20 questions to ask your children worksheet, I thought it was an ideal opportunity to sit down with Elizabeth (6) and Ben (9) to have a chat and maybe reveal some interesting answers. I do of course chat to them both about their day on our walk home from after school club but they are often tired and sometimes the best I can get out of my eldest is what he had for lunch!




Over the weekend we sat down with with a hot chocolate and a biscuit each and I 'interviewed' both of my children using the worksheet available over on the Shepherds Friendly website. They loved the novelty of it and I found that some of the answers were predictable, others surprised me while a couple were just so heartwarming they nearly brought a tear to my eye. I've typed up their responses below:

Twenty Questions I asked my Children

1. What is your favourite colour?

Elizabeth: Green!

Ben: Red

2. Who is your best friend? 

E: Nathan

B: Billy

3. What is your favourite TV programme?

E: Skylanders

B: Horrible Histories

4. What do you want to be when you grow up?

E: A teacher and a mummy

B: An Author or an inventor

5. What car do you want to have when you grow up?

E: A blue one

B: BMW

6. If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would you go?

E: Cornwall!

B: South Africa

7. Do you want to get married one day?

E: I’m not quite sure…

B: No

8. How many children would you like to have?

E: One

B: Four

9. What age are you when you become an adult?

E: 17

B: 20

10. What are you good at?

E: Skipping and drawing

B; Football and making up stories

11. If you had a superpower what would it be?

E: Fire!

B: Being able to teleport

12. If you had one wish, what would that be?

E: That everyone in the whole world is happy

B: To own a restaurant so I could eat there every day

13. What do I do as a job?

E: Earn money

B: Working in the glass building in Manchester

14. What are you scared of?

E: Nothing because I’m a brave girl

B: The dark

15. What is your favourite song?

E: Bohemien Rhapsody

B: 12 days of Christmas

16. What is your favourite class at school?

E: Dinosaur topic

B: Science because we're learning about Space at the moment

17. What is something I always say to you?

E: Love you lots like jelly tots

B: Be good

18. What is the hardest thing you've ever had to do?

E: Hard work at school

B: Carrying my heavy rucksack on a hike

19. What makes you happy? 

E: Playing with my friends

B: Playing with my friends

20. What makes you sad? 

E: When I fall over and get hurt

B: Being told off

Reading through the answers I can see both my children's individual personalities stand out. My kind and loving but fearless six year old who loves rocking out to Queen and my cautious and sensible but imaginative nine year old who adores his food and loves learning about the world he lives in!

As well as being something to look back on as they get older (I may even ask them again each year to see how things have changed), some of the answers my children gave made me reflect on how I talk to them. The fact that they didn't really understand what I did for work everyday surprised me and I will certainly try to be more open with them about this from now on. Their answers to question seventeen made me wonder if I talk differently to my son and my daughter, She remembers happy words of love while he has the cautionary reminder to 'be good' at the front of his mind. I will work on this.

Overall it was a fun little exercise that we all enjoyed, I would recommend having a go with your children, do let me know in the comments or on twitter if you get any funny or surprising answers!

How to join in:

• Download and print off the worksheet above
• Ask your child(ren) the questions and why not get them to colour in or decorate it too? You could even frame it!
• Why not take a picture and share it on social media to share with your family and friends
• Use the hashtag #ShepherdsTwenty so that you can share your child’s answers with other parents.
• Don’t forget to put a note in your diary to do it again next year (or just let it appear on timehop!)
The twenty questions to ask your children worksheet was designed and provided by Shepherds Friendly Society who offer a range of savings plans including a Junior Isa.

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post.

Teaching My Daughter to Sew

Yesterday I taught my four year old daughter to sew... and she loved it!

Just under a year ago I was able to reduce my hours in work to spend one day at home with my four year old daughter, at first this would be be a planned day of adventure making an effort to pack as much into our day together as possible. As the weeks went by we began to take these days for granted and got into the a bit of a routine; after walking her big brother to school we'd spend an hour or so at the park, pop to the post office or local shop to run some errands and make it home just in time to get started on lunch. The afternoons would usually involve baking of some kind, reading stories, a craft activity or board game and maybe a movie while I got some bits and bobs done around the house.

Although a little repetitive I look forward to these Fridays together and so so does Elizabeth, it's her 'Mummy Time', something that as a younger sibling who has been in full time nursery since she turned one, she doesn't get a lot of on her own.

 It struck today that these Mummy and Daughter days that we have both grown accustomed to, are coming to an end sooner than I had realised. I had been aware that Elizabeth starts school in September and I will be returning to full time work a week later, however what had dawned on me yesterday was that my first born, Ben, will be breaking up fir the summer in just two weeks!

Of course I'm really looking forward to being able to spend my day off with both my children and we have all sorts of days out and adventures planned, but I will miss our girly days together.

That's why in the afternoon I really wanted to do something different.

I've always loved sewing, my Nanna taught me when I wasn't much older than Elizabeth is now and I dabbled in making some dresses as a teen, but it's not been until recent months that I've really got back into doing it again and I'd noticed that Elizabeth had stated to take an interest.

I was sewing a broach back on to a corsage i'd made when she asked if she could have a try. Showed her how to safely hold the needle and told her what to do and she made a few stitches.So rather than putting my sewing bits away after this I routed through my craft stash and found some felt scraps.

I cut a really simple purse shape out of a piece of pin felt and threaded a needle. Folding the felt down and holding the edges together I made a few blanket stitches while Elizabeth watched, she was eager to take over and copied me easily sewing along the edge until she got close to the end where I knotted it off for her. I then started her off on the other side where again she continued until she was close to the end and I tied it off, I popped a few invisible stitches in the top and then popped on a very sparkly button that Elizabeth chosen from my button box.

We then turned the whole thing inside out and voila...  A very cute little coin purse that my four year old is extremely proud of!

She really enjoyed it and has already asked what we can sew together next!

I'm linking up with #Trash2treasure the fabulous new linky from Coombemill

What time of the year is perfect for Family Time?

As we approach Christmas my mind turns to enjoying time with my family. We have lots of plans over the Christmas period, visiting relatives around the local area but in the New Year I want to take a trip further afield. As working parents we really value the time that we get to spend together, so where we spend it is important to us. 

Last year we took the children and my In-Laws for a lovely week at Butlin's Skegness. It was the ideal place to escape from everyday life with lots to entertain the children all day long and it to the evening too! Their every need was catered to by the attentive Redcoats and having the Grandparents on hand to babysit meant my husband and I could enjoy a rare evening out together in one of the popular bars! 

 When thinking of a holiday at the Seaside in the UK, it may be most common to look in the Summer months, but with school aged children, families can feel restricted at that time of year, February half term is an ideal time to take a family break, for me it's much easier to book annual leave than later in the year and it's something to look forward to over the dreary post Christmas period!

One of the things that surprised me most about my first trip to Butlins was just how weather-proof it all was, thanks to the Fun Filled Skyline Pavillion, it is the perfect UK holiday destination all year round.

The children loved the activities on offer from the brand new Splash Waterworld, where we could have quite happliy spent most of our time, to the fantastically presented Character shows including Mike the Knight and Fireman Sam and the all the fun of the fairground in Bob's Yard to mention just a few! All of these can be enjoyed come rain or shine!

So why not pop over to the website and book now for February half term breaks in 2014? A great way to treat your family this Christmas!

Why Do We Love Wales So Much?

We love Wales, I fell in with the Llyn Peninsula as a child, spending my holidays in a caravan, playing on the beach and exploring the local countryside. I'm so pleased  that we have been able to introduce our children to this UK holiday destination that holds so many beloved childhood memories. We have been holidaying there since my daughter was just a few months old, there is so much to enjoy so I wanted to share with you a few reasons why we love Wales so much...

The secrets behind one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations

What is it about Wales that keeps people coming back for more year after year? It’s been one of the UK’s best-loved holiday destinations for years and generations of visitors come back with their children and grandchildren every year. So if you haven’t been to Wales before, what are you missing?

Stunning coastline

North Wales has a long, rugged coastline and holiday whichever park you stay at, you’ll be in a prime position to make the most of it. Whether you fancy a relaxing walk along the beach or are eager to dive into watersports, you’ll find it all in Wales. North Wales alone offers kayaking, windsurfing, canoeing and coasteering so try something new or continue an old hobby – it’s up to you!

If you’ve come to Wales with young kids, they’ll love going crabbing. A perfect place for this is Beaumaris Pier on Anglesey – it’s just along the coast from Presthaven Sands Holiday Park and all you really need is a crab line and some bait. Dangle your line off the edge of the pier and wait until the crabs start tugging on the line. When you can feel that the crab has a firm hold, you can bring the line up. Put the crabs in a bucket of water and then set them free again when you’ve finished.

Mountains

Wales is world famous for its breathtaking mountain scenery – from the Brecon Beacons to Snowdonia, you’ll find many a hiking opportunity in Wales. Greenacres Holiday Park is located at the heart of Snowdonia National Park, just minutes from some of the most breathtaking mountains in the UK.

Mountain Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales and one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. Hike all the way to the summit or hop on the Snowdon Mountain Railway – whichever you choose, you’ll get some spectacular views of Snowdonia from the top! If you’re a less experienced walker, follow the tourist path for a gradual, yet manageable climb to the summit.

Castles

Wales is much more than mountains and coastline – it’s also rich in a history that will spark your kids’ imaginations and transport them to another era.  Haven Hafan y Mor Holiday Park is just half an hour from Caernarfon Castle – one of the most impressive castles in Wales.

Built in the 13th century by King Edward I, it’s now a World Heritage Site and one of the best-loved family days out in North Wales.


Brought to you in collaboration with Haven Holidays