What's Happened? What's Happening? 22/10/2015

Welcome back to the latest #WHWH linky, we are deep into October and if you're anything like us, the heating is on and the winter coats are out! We've been enjoying reading about outdoor adventures this week and getting excited about our plans for the upcoming half term, as well as Halloween and bonfire night.

 We really appreciate you joining in and sharing your posts with us and it would make us both very happy to see you include our #WHWH badge in your post or on your site. The more people that join in with our lovely community the more exciting places we get to discover and fabulous events we get to read about. We can't wait to get busy pinning, sharing and commenting on all of your posts this week!

 'What's Happened?' this week took us to the movies, to a music festival and even to Disney World Florida, but the post that stood out to us the most was a fun yet educational day at Warwick Castle from In The Playroom and her family.  From the chance to try archery, see a working trebauchet and learn about medieval times which also having lots of fun in the fresh air, it sounds like the perfect Autumn day out!

Photo credit: In the Playroom

'What's Happening?' saw some great posts linked up, full of ideas for fast approaching school holidays. If you are looking for family fun in the Greater Manchester area then don't miss these posts on half term happenings from Red Rose Mummy and The Brick Castle.

The one post that had us both planning trips to West Yorkshire for some spooky Halloween fun was from Yorkshire Tots.  They have something for every family from spooky interactive films to Pumpkin Festivals and even Freaks in the Forest...

Photo credit: Yorkshire Tots

What have you been up to? What are you planning?


We'd love you to link up your blog posts to What's Happened? - featuring events, days out, holidays, film, theatre and restaurant reviews and any other 'happeneds'. What's Happening? is the place for you to link your event previews, ongoing events and ticket giveaways.


We read and comment on every one and share on Twitter, Facebook. Google+, Pinterest and StumbleUpon.


We've created a brand new #WHWH Facebook Page is where we'll be sharing all of your posts from now on so please head over and give it a 'like'.


There is also a Pinterest board where we pin all of your posts, feel free to follow it.

Follow What's Happened? What's Happening? on Pinterest.

As always, please grab our badge to show you've joined in and point your readers in our direction.

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An InLinkz Link-up

An InLinkz Link-up

What's Happened? What's Happening? 8/10/15

The madness of back to school led to a wee break for #WHWH but we're back this week to showcase all of your events posts once again. We really want to push this linky as it's your posts which make it successful and we're really hoping to be busy pinning, sharing and commenting on all of your posts from now on.

Our favourite posts from What's Happened last time around couldn't be more different. I love reading about people's travels as a family, the more exotic the better and the lovely Five Adventurers' post about their stay at a very exotic hotel in Malaysia - The Best Family Hotel in Chiang Mai - was a fascinating read. The amazing villa they stayed in, complete with their own pool, looked simply perfect for a family holiday. The hotel and it's extensive grounds and activities really seem to set it apart from the run of the mill. I really admire the way Nisbah travels the globe with her gorgeous family and her writing is great Head on over to take a look at her blog if you haven't visited before.

Photo Credit: Five Adventurers

The second post from last time that we loved was ET Speaks From Home's take on their traditional British seaside holiday to Southbourne Beach in Dorset. My co-host knows Eileen well and can't quite imagine her on a caravan holiday but it looks like they had a lovely time. Dorset is such a beautiful county and the kids had lots of fun in the sea and pool on their caravan site. I love the photo of the seafood platter dinner they ate, isn't it amazing?

Photo Credit: ET Speaks from Home



What's Happening saw two giveaways linked up. One has now closed but you can still enter my giveaway to win an amazing Great Yarmouth break in 2016. It just might be the perfect UK holiday so make sure you enter!



What have you been up to? What are you planning?


We'd love you to link up your blog posts to What's Happened? - featuring events, days out, holidays, film, theatre and restaurant reviews and any other 'happeneds'. What's Happening? is the place for you to link your event previews, ongoing events and ticket giveaways.


We read and comment on every one and share on Twitter, Facebook. Google+, Pinterest and StumbleUpon.


We've created a brand new #WHWH Facebook Page is where we'll be sharing all of your posts from now on so please head over and give it a 'like'.


There is also a Pinterest board where we pin all of your posts, feel free to follow it.

Follow What's Happened? What's Happening? on Pinterest.

As always, please grab our badge to show you've joined in and point your readers in our direction.

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An InLinkz Link-up

An InLinkz Link-up

CBeebies Swashbuckle Magazine is out today!

The brand new CBeebies Swashbuckle Magazine is out in shops today priced at just £2.75 and we were lucky enough to be sent an early copy to take a look at! My four year old daughter Elizabeth is pirate crazy and Swashbuckle is her favourite CBeebies show!

The first issue of the Swashbuckle magazine comes packed full of fun activities and includes a free Swashbuckle play set, featuring a foam pirate hat, pretty jewels, a special pirate spinner and your very own treasure chest!

The latest magazine from the CBeebies folks is aimed at children between the ages of four and six and my four year old has really enjoyed it. I've often found that the magazines aimed at children of this age tend to be very gender specific, although Elizabeth loves dancing and her favourite colour is pink she would rather be wearing a pirate hat than a tiara any day! I love that Swashbuckles magazine appeals to both my son and daughter in equal measure.

Although the free gifts are ideal for role play and have a lot of play value, the magazine has lots more to offer, there are stories, puzzles and crafts that children will learn from while also having fun with their Swashbuckle friends Gem, Cook, Line and Sinker!

Elizabeths favourite sections were Cooks Corner with the smoothie recipes she'd decided we're making at the weekend and the Pirate School cartoon, that she got her big brother Ben to help her read! She also enjoyed coloring the pirate ship and like most four year olds she was delighted with the stickers that came inside the magazine.

This magazine is jam packed full of value and is right on target to hold a four year old's attention and encourage them to learn with out them noticing it. This is certainly going to be a regular in our house.

You can read an interview with Steph Cooper, editor of the Swashbuckle magazine, over on the UKMums.tv website and don't forget to follow Swashbuckle magazine on twitter and like them on facebook!

Join us for a #SofiasMicroWorld Twitter Party! 18/09/2014

To celebrate the launch of a fabulous new range of Sofia the First Micro Toys, next Thursday 18th September, we will be hosting a Sofia the First Magical Tea Party for Elizabeth and some of her little friends!

We have been sent lots of princess themed goodies for the occasion and it's sure to be lots of fun!

There will be fun 'micro food' perfect for princesses (Please let me know if you have any princess themed food suggestions!)

Our 'royal' guests will be playing with the latest Sofa the first Micro Toys including
Sofia the First Tiara  and Sofia the First Magic Amulet i'll be sharing the thoughts of both children and parents, there may be some additions to you child's Christmas lists!

We'll also be playing our favourite party games including a princess treasure hunt and pass the parcel!

And you can't be a princess without a Tiara! Our party guests will be colouring and making their own Tiars too! Your little ones can have some colouring fun at home with this Free Sofia Printable.

If you have a Sofia the First fan you don't need to miss out as you can join in too on twitter between 4pm and 6pm with hashtag #Sophiasmicroworld for your chance to win your little princesses spot prizes and join in with the fun activities! 

Don't forget to follow @mymummyspennies @DisneyJuniorUk and @ukmumstv to follow what's going on!


See you on Thursday!

If you can't wait until Thursday for the fun to start visit DisneyJunior.co.uk for more fun Sofia activities and games...

Back to School Crafting with Sainsbury's

We love the summer holidays, full of days out, quality family time and crafting. but it's not long until the school term starts again and we have o get back in to the routine again...

A couple of weeks ago a exciting parcel full of craft supplies arrived on our doorstep and both Ben who will be seven next week and moving up to juniors in September and his little sister Elizabeth who is excited about Pre school couldn't wait to get started. Sainsbury's had sent us a selection of their Get Creative craft range to get crafty along the back to school theme.

I spoke to Ben about returning to school in September and asked him what he was looking forward to the most. He started off telling me how exciting it wold be going in to the juniors and how he would be one of the big boys now and would have to be very good to set and example to the younger children and hep them in they were sad. He told me all about the new play ground he would get to play football on and his new classroom, but the thing he was most excited about was lunch time! (Yes he is his father's son!)

It was not just the food he was looking forward to but the time socialising with his friends, chatting about turtles and Skylanders and sharing stories of the exciting adventures they'd got up to over the summer. He couldn't wait to tell them about going camping with the scouts where he helped to make bivvies and cook dinner on an open fire!

Soon though we were back to food and he was talking about what his favorite packed lunches were. Although many children will be changing to hot dinners this September due to the introduction of free meals for infant children, Ben will still be taking  his 'mini picnics' as he calls them.

We decided to make a crafty version of his favourite lunch!

Using a selection of the Sainsburys craft supplies that we had been sent we created a super healthy packed lunch, including...

An Apple

Carrot sticks with hummous

Orange juice

and Ben's favourite; Cheese, lettuce and tomato Sandwich!

Ben cut pieces of coloured craft foam up into shaped to represent bread, cheese, tomato and lettuce and then using coloured pipe cleaners he joined them all together.

We decided that it looked like a book so Ben used felt tips and glitter pens to write the names of each ingredient on the foam and create a mini sandwich book.

Both he and Elizabeth have since spent lots of time playing with the book they made!

So simple, yet great fun!

We also used some of the other craft supplies to create 3D Elsa picture, make our own boardgame and a star mosaic.

I was really impressed with the quality of the art supplies from the Sainsbury's get creative range and they have given us all hours of fun!

Have you been chatting to your children about going back to school? What are they looking forward to the most?


We were sent these craft items free of charge and a gift card for taking part in the challenge.

Camping is Ace! #BargainoftheWeek

We love camping! Our family Christmas present to ourselves was a brand new tent and we can't wait to take it out on our next outdoor adventure!

Tonight on the way to pick my eldest up from Beavers I popped into our local Morrisons and saw this t - shirt in their Nutmeg range...

 I agree Camping is Ace!

And for selling this at just £2 I think Morrisons is ace!

I picked one up for both my son and daughter, the loose fit and log sleeves will be ideal for running round fields on our net camping trip!

As I know my lovely readers are fans of the great outdoors as well as a bargain I just had to share this with you. The had a great selection of other clothes at great prices too but this top really stood out!

Have you found a good bargain this week? I'd love you to link it up here...



I was not asked to write this post, I paid for the t-shirts myself and just wanted to share!

Project365 149/365 Swimming at Splash Waterworld! #Butlins

Today we discovered Splash Waterworld at Butlins Skegness, it was Amazing and we will be going back tomorrow to explore it even more! I couldn't take pictures inside the pool areas so I had to share this photo of Elizabeth all dressed and ready to go in...

Project365 148/365 We love Bob the Builder! #Butlins

Today we had another fun filled day at Butlin's Skegness! A prominent theme today was Bob the Builder! We saw his live show, posed for photos with him in the Skyline Pavilion and enjoyed the fairground rides in Bob the Builder's Yard, but my favourite photo of the day has to be this one of my two year old running towards the big Bob statue to give him a hug...

A fun day out at MOSI

Last Sunday the children and I set off for a day out at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester to meet up with some other lovely bloggers and their families for the 2nd official Blogs up North meet up.
I've lived and worked in Manchester for over eight years now and visited MOSI many times for a variety of occasions from family days out to a work's Christmas Party in the Power Hall and was looking forward to my latest visit.


As a fun family day out it is hard to beat! There are a wide variety of different areas with so much to do for all ages! And although the entertainment factor is comparable to places that charge upwards of £20, at MOSI there is no compulsory entrance fee, just a suggested donation of £3 which is well worth it for a family day out that is both fun and educational! And it's really accessible by car or on public transport. If you fancy feeding your brood while you are visiting you can either bring a picnic to enjoy in the Air & Space Hall or enjoy the freshly cooked daily specials in the restaurant or Coffee shop.

After some tasty refreshments and an introduction from the lovely staff we ventured down to the Power Hall to watch Engineer Eric and Forgetful Fred present an entertaining and child friendly talk, explaining the workings of a steam engine in a way that really held the children's attention, especially my 5 year old Ben, who was entranced. The Power Hall is filled with amazing examples of working engines and locomotives that Ben loved exploring and he could have spent hours in there but Elizabeth had spotted the steam train outside so we queued up to take a ride on that, and despite Ben having a bit of a sulk at first that we had left the big room of engines and machinery, they both loved it and I really enjoyed seeing the city that I know so well in a different way.

There was so much choice as to what to do next, from Rocket Launching in the Power Hall, visiting the 4D Theatre (ages 4+) or exploring the many galleries that MOSI has to offer but I let Ben lead and of course we ended up at Experiment! the interactive gallery that gives children of all ages the opportunity to get hands on and find out for themselves how things work, from magnetism to solar power, liquids and lights and sounds. Even though we have visited many times both Ben and Elizabeth ran around playing with all the experiments as if it was the first time seeing them. It was lovely to see the expressions of awe on their faces as they watched the outcome of their actions. We ended up spending most of the afternoon in here and after a quick play in the under fives area they were all played out and we decided to head home. I felt like we had barely touched the surface and there was so much more we wanted to do, but that just gives us the excuse to return again very soon!

I think I'll look to time our next visit to coincide with the monthly Experitots sessions (next one on 22nd March) which are activity sessions specifically aimed at under 5's including crafts, puppets and storytelling to help toddlers get the most out of the Experiment gallery. Find out more about these sessions and everything else that MOSI has to offer on their website www.mosi.org.uk.

You can also keep up to date with MOSI news and events on Twitter and Facebook.


Disclaimer: As attendees of the Blogs up North meet up we were treated to refreshments and a complimentary ride on the stream train but but all opinions are our own..

Win a famly ticket to see the new Star Wars Miniland!

As you may know our family are big fans of both Star Wars and LEGO. Especially Daddy and Ben!

 So when we were invited to the launch of the new Star Wars Miniland at Legoland Discovery Centre we were very excited, unfortunatly Ben was unwell and we couldn't attend the event but we will be visiting very soon and we can't wait to check out the new LEGO® STAR WARS™ themed Interactive model display! 

Here's what they say about it...

STAR WARS™ legend is set to take over Manchester for five months as
part of the Trafford Centre attraction’s brand new feature.

From the rolling hills of Naboo, with its ancient domed city and
cascading waterfalls, to the treacherous terrain of the desert planet
of Tattooine, the incredible landscapes of Star Wars Episode 1: The
Phantom Menace will be recreated using LEGO bricks forming some of the
most stunning displays the Manchester LEGOLAND Discovery Centre has
seen since opening in March 2010.

The pop-up walk-through LEGO® Star Wars™ MINILAND Model Display will
offer an intergalactic immersion into the sights and sounds of this
the first in the film franchise.  Built-in games will offer hands on
fun for even the youngest of Padawans who can take part in a thrilling
Podrace with the young Anakin Skywalker and help defeat the evil Droid
Army in the ‘Droid Destruction’ game.

The display is made up of over 250,000 LEGO bricks, is home to 2000
LEGO Star Wars minigures and took 2,000 man hours to create! Wow!!

The display opened to the public on Friday 1 February and will be available until
Sunday 2 June 2013.

We visit on a regular basis and you can read all about our day out on the Star Wars weekenmd in November here....

A LEGO Star Wars Day Out

The Centre involves just one entry fee, with all attractions included
in the cost. Tickets are available online from just £8.10 per person.

Legoland Discovery Centre is open from 10am seven days a week. The Centre remains
open until 7pm daily, with the last admission at 5pm 

Check out all the attractions on the website
www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCentre.co.uk  and for the latest news and offers follow them on Twitter
http://twitter.com/LDCManchester.

Would you like to win a family ticket to the attraction?

Enter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Olympic Giveaway!!

As you may have seen if you follow My Mummys pennies on facebook or Twitter our whole family has really been getting into the Olympic Spirit! I've really surprised myself as I'm not a sporty person and usually let sporting event pass me by, however with Olympic fever sweeping the nation it's hard not to catch it also!

We had a great time watching the torch relay going through our local town, loved watching the opening ceremony and have been glued to the TV screen for lots of the events and to celebrate the Medals! Go Team GB!!

E's nursery have really gotten in the spirit too having their own Olympic week with dressing up, fun, games and food from around the world! B has been the most enthusiastic of us all creating his own Olympic games in the garden, making his own torch, medals and an Olympic Crown!

My Husband and children, along with their Grandad and Great Grandad, were lucky enough to actually attend the football quarter finals between Japan and Eygpt at Old Trafford! They were cheering for Japan and were thrilled when they won!

I'm actually quite sad that it's almost over!

Over the last few weeks I've gone from not being that bothered by anything #London2012 to wanting to make sure we all have memento's and souvenirs of the Games! We werte sent a lovely Wenlock soft toy to review and I found some fabulous bargains in a local Quality Save shop so why I was filling up on Goodies for my family I thought I'd share the Olympic love and buy a few extra to send to some of my lovely readers!

So up for grabs we have....

A fabulous London 2012 Stick-On Felts set

A souvenir bundle consisting of a Union Flag Wenlock keyring and 8 colour pen set and a Wenlock mini toy car (age 3+)

A small mandeville cuddly collectable soft toy(10months+)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


more great competitions and giveaways can be found at...  ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions

Kids Go Free at National Trust locations this August

I'm a huge fan of the national trust and we have been members since Ben was small. We're lucky enough to have some great national trust places to visit in the North West from Dunham Massey (my favourite!) to Quarry Bank Mill, Lyme Park, Tatton Park and Formby point to name just a few...

I wrote about the national trust's 50 things to do before you're 11 and 3/4 campaign a while ago and this weekend my little boy will be ticking a few more off this list as his has gone to Scout Camp with Daddy!

This fab new 50 Things to do before you’re 11¾ campaign provides a checklist for under-12s (and those who are young at heart!) including everything from running around in the rain and bug hunting, to setting up a snail race, damming a stream, flying a kite and growing your own veg!

If you fancy joining in with the adventures this weekend, as we certainly have the weather for it, why not pop over to the national Trust Website and print off a voucher for children up to the age of 16 to go free with a paying adult / member?

If you think there's something missing from the list you can suggest your own ideas for a chance to Win an adventure pack just got to the website to add your suggestion...

Do come back here and share your adventures, I'll love to hear what your little ones get up to!

City of Friends...

City of Friends is the beautifully animated pre-school TV show that’s turned into something of a global phenomenon! Originally from Norway, City of Friends is now airing in more than 150 countries around the world!


Currently showing on Channel Five’s Milkshake! the series centres around the three emergency teams; Police, Ambulance and Fire: and the three friends, Max the police officer, Elphie the fire officer and Ted the paramedic who work together to solve problems and help people around their city.

Max is everyone’s friend and the city’s mischief-maker. The children in the city think he is the coolest and the funniest in the whole city. Elphie is a bubbly and adventure-loving elephant. Her impressive trunk and its water-shooting abilities make her a natural fire-fighter. Ted the caring young teddybear, is starting his life in the ambulance service. He’s very popular and offers great comfort to people in need, providing reassurance with his cuddly warmth.

This is a pre school show that's a bit different from the others! It still has thecatchy theme tune but unlike many animated shows available City of Friends promotes themes of cooperation, friendship, tolerance, knowledge, activity and fun . The series sparks the imagination with exciting, playful storylines which are entertaining and teach very gentle, but valuable life-lessons along the way.





  


The inspiration for the stories came from creator Carl Christian Hamre’s own day job working as a member of Norway’s state police. “One evening I told my son a bedtime story about the three emergency services; how they work together to solve the challenges and problems they are called out to. However, this time, I replaced myself and my colleagues, with people and animals in the emergency services, and City of Friends was born.”

City of Friends airs weekdays on Channel Five’s Milkshake! at 6.20am every day. To see the rest of the characters and some clips why not head over to the City of Friends website and the Facebook page?

Bank Holiday Fun at Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester

If you live in or around the North West and are looking for something to entertain the whole family this (probably rainy) August Bank holiday weekend then look no further Legoland Discovery Centre is the place! Not only have they got lots to entertain all ages they also have some great offers!

Located in Barton Square at The Trafford Centre, the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is made up of a series of interactive features to immerse kids into a world where their imagination can run wild with creative inspiration at every turn. Featuring a whole host of exciting attractions from the Kingdom Quest ride to an amazing recreation of the North West’s most iconic buildings, the Centre not only provides fun for LEGO fans young and old, but fantastic educational benefits too!

The Centre involves just one entry fee, with all attractions included in the cost. Tickets are available online from just £8.10 per person.

The Centre is open from 10am seven days a week. The Centre remains open until 7pm daily, with the last admission at 5pm – see www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCentre.co.uk for details or follow on Twitter – http://twitter.com/LDCManchester.

If you purchase an unlimited pass that you can use for 12 months at just £27pp you can get £10 worth of FREE Lego and a FREE ticket to Legoland Windsor for a limited time only!

They also have a Alien Invasion event at MINILAND, running until Sunday 28th August!

A Martian on Manchester's Town Hall or at Old Trafford? Aliens are set to invade MINILAND at the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre! MINILAND is built from more than 1.5 million LEGO bricks and brings the local area to miniature life with moving airships and trains! My almost 4 year old was facinated by this on our recent vist!

Kids are encouraged to come dressed in costume - think green or whatever their imaginations can conjure up. Alien soldiers will take over MINILAND completely and kids will be challenged with finding the Alien commander to be in with a chance of winning a prize. There are loads of prizes from the Alien Conquest LEGO range up for grabs. Plus, spend £30 or more on Alien Conquest LEGO, and receive a FREE limited edition Alien Conquest brick!

They are also still showing the fabulous Clutch Powers 4D Adventure film at Manchester's only 4D cinema! “A Clutch Power 4D Adventure" follows Clutch and his team on a hilarious and fun-filled mission to obtain a special mystery box for Professor Brick-a-Brack. The team splits up and takes to land, air and sea to retrieve the box—but when evil rock monsters threaten to take the box and its contents, the LEGO characters must put their differences aside and work as a team to rescue the box. We attended the premier of this a few weeks ago and Ben was glued to the screen! Read all about our visit here!

So why not treat the family to a fun day out before the children go back to school! With prices from £8.10 per person. It won't break the bank! And if you live near by don't forget about the fabulous season ticket offer so you can return again and again!

And to Celebrate I LOVE MANCHESTER day TODAY they are giving FREE entry to anyone wearing an official 'I LOVE MCR' T-shirt! (26th August only!)