I am SO behind on everything, blogging, emails... LIFE! I've been trying to take it easy as much as I can and also spend less time on the computer as I have had really bad headaches recently and my vision hasn't been 100%. I really don't want to have a lumbar puncture to release the pressure/fluid on my brain and behind my eyes. So I've been trying my hardest to avoid that! I'm so sorry I am behind on blogs and everything else! I'll catch up... eventually.


Anyway here are our best and worst bits this week.

Negatives: 

• See the first paragraph of this post! 
• Being behind on everything truly sucks but my health comes first! 
• They say things come in three's.. First my washing machine had something stuck in the filter. The washing machine was full of clothes. And water. I ended up with a very flooded kitchen! I fixed that. Then my hoover started playing up and my hair straighteners won't heat up. Awesome. *note sarcasm* I thankfully (touch wood) managed to sort the washing machine out! Phew. It's not the time of year (is it ever?) for expensive electronics to be breaking! 

Positives:

•  I started my Christmas shopping. Hoorah! I've only bought small things but it's start. I really need to be more organised this year! 
• I am loving the walking dead! The first episode of season seven was utterly... Heartbreaking. That was to be expected though, I think everyone knew something terrible was going to happen. Loved the second episode though, Carol is awesome, haha. 
• We had a fab Halloween. It wasn't quite the same with the kids being at school and all but they had fun trick or treating! 
• The dentist hasn't cancelled Ellie's dentist appointment this week! They usually cancel last minute but so far, so good. I just need all this dentist stuff to be over. For her sake.
• I read "Behind Closed Doors" yesterday! What a fantastic book. Review coming soon. 
• Charlie got a certificate for all his 'house points' as he got more than anyone else in his form! So proud of him! 
• Harry's been really helpful the last few days, bless him. I know I say this all the time but I honestly can't believe he is 13 years old. How am I mum to a TEENAGER?! How does that even happen, haha.  

• The kids and I carved a couple of pumpkins, we were aiming to do a cat but I went wrong so we just turned it into a spooky face lol! Ohhh and we also baked some epic Halloween cupcakes. All three of the kids enjoyed helping and decorating them. 

Things to look forward to:

• Well, we have Guy Fawkes night coming up. We don't have any plans. We're not huge fans of fireworks but we do have some sparklers and we'll probably watch some fireworks from the garden or the window. I'll make a special dinner, too! 
• I am looking forward to all Ellie's dental appointments being over! Although , sadly I don't think they will be for a while as she's going to need a brace (she's only 9!) and she has some hereditary thing that I'll find out more about today. It's nothing to do with the condition of her teeth, the condition of her teeth is actually pretty good as the dentist told us last time! 
• The weekend! I am SO looking forward to the weekend and just relaxing. It's nice to be back in the school routine and all but the early mornings... Especially when it's cold... I struggle, haha.

I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! And have a safe Guy Fawkes night!

What are you best and worst moments this week? What has made you smile recently?

Sarah xXx

Gosh, half way through half term already! Where does the time go? The days seem long and yet when I look back, time has flown by. I know that makes no sense but it's true.
Anyway, here are this weeks best and worst moments & things to look forward to.


Negatives: 

• It totally sucks that Halloween falls on a school day this year. We'll have to have a build up to it over the weekend. We usually spend the day doing Halloween arts & crafts and watching family Halloween movies. I shared a few of our favourite Halloween movies here: 
• The dentist has cancelled Ellie's appointment AGAIN! We've two appointments out of the four, the other two have also been cancelled. This appointment was a rescheduled one and it's been cancelled again. I understand these things happen but I prepare Ellie for it (because she's been referred to a special dentist as she has a phobia and we have to go at an Ellie speed pace) and then have to prepare her all over again when it's rescheduled. *sigh* It's just one of those things and I know I shouldn't complain about it but eh. At least she's had an X-Ray and we have established that she is going to need a brace and probably quite soon.
• My headaches have still been quite bad but not as bad as it's been in the past. I'm going to the doctors Friday. I know he won't be able to do much because it's a rare brain disease (although I prefer the word condition over disease!) but I do need for it to be logged just in case I end up needing to see the neurologist. 
• Because of the above reason, I have failed blogtober. Boo! I did well at the start of the month though. My health has to come first! 

Positives: 

• We have had a fairly chilled half term so far. We went to town yesterday so the kids could spend there Birthday money! Harry decided on some points for the XBOX, Charlie picked an XBOX game and Ellie picked a little doll set. We enjoyed a lovely lunch - hot sausage roll and I treated the kids to a cake. They've been really well behaved this half term. (Touch wood, haha). I'm actually not looking forward to them going back to school, I will miss them.
• Ellie got all her answers right for her telling the time test! I am SO proud of her, she worked so hard on learning to tell the time. She can actually tell the time but gets a couple mixed up. 
• I found some bargain books for 20p each again. Including Fangirl, I can't believe it was only 20 pence! Bargain. I'm having a little break from reading now though because of my headaches.
• We have my niece around to to play, it's nice for Ellie to have someone to play with. We have spent the morning colouring in Halloween pictures that I printed out. 

• Harrys 13th Birthday last week - I still can not believe he is THIRTEEN! He had a lovely Birthday though and got some really awesome gifts.
• We also decorated this epic skull mini gift bags for Halloween!! Aren't they fab? 

Things to look forward to:

• Halloween!! And everything that comes with it. Halloween baking, the movies... Trick or Treating and so on! The kids are super excited too. Must pick up a pumpkin or two at some point. 
• Having Ellie's dentist treatment over and done with. I feel for her. 
• Parents evening is next week, I am looking forward to that, too. I think the boys parents evening is probably coming up to :) 
• Starting Christmas shopping. I haven't bought a thing yet. Eek. 

So those are our best and worst moments and bullet point update on life! How has your week been? I hope you've all had a wonderful week with more positives than negatives.

Sarah xXx

Halloween is one of the kids favourite times of year. They are so excited for Halloween this year and to get them in the mood, Baker Ross sent us some of this spooky 'Day of the Dead Colour-in Mini Gift Bags' to review.


Each kit contains 6 mini paper bags, in 3 assorted designs with 3 assorted handle colours - Green, Pink & Orange. Each bag size is 12cm x 8.5cm.


We used the Fibre tip pens that Baker Ross also sent us to colour the bags in.


"These are going to look amazing" Ellie told me. She was all "I'm going to give my friend some sweets in these for Halloween" Bless her.



Harry and Charlie even joined in with colouring the bags in. Charlie was like "Now these are EPIC!" Charlie being eleven years old and Harry being thirteen, it was lovely to have them join in on being creative! They're SO excited for Halloween.
The bags themselves are made of thick paper and have a ribbon string handle which is stronge and perfect for little hands to hold. 

We carried on colouring in each bag, which is double sided. The fibre tip pens are perfect for this activity! 


The kids could not wait to fill there bags with sweets and goodies. "I'm saving them all for Halloween" they ALL told me. (We'll see, haha). Charlie also noted that they're perfect for 'Trick Or Treating' to gift sweets in. He's right, the year perfect for Halloween!



They're all proud of there "Skull Clown" bags (as Ellie has decided t o call them, haha)
Priced at just £1.49 for a pack of six, they are well worth the money! The Fibre tip pens can be brought separately (£1.98 for a pack of three, each pack contains 10 colours). These little gift bags are perfect for this time of year, any child who loves being creative would enjoy colouring these in.


Baker Ross sell a really wide range of kids arts and craft activities and kits. They have whole selection of Autumnal and Halloween arts and craft kits.They're all very reasonably priced, too :)

What's your child's favourite creative activity?

Sarah xXx


We were gifted this product for purpose of this review. All opinions are my own, honest, personal opinion. I was not paid for this post.

We were sent some Spooky Haunted House Photo Frame Magnets to review from Baker Ross. We absolutely love Baker Ross 'Craft It' kits. My daughter is nine years old, she enjoys being creative! She was super excited to make these Haunted House Magnet Picture Frames.



Each kit contains:

• Foam photo frame templates in assorted colours 
• Self-adhesive foam stickers
• Self-adhesive magnets.

The designs feature 5 designs - Vampire, Ghost, Skeleton, Mummy, Witch and Frankenstein. The foam templates and stickers are self adhesive which means no glue is required and minimal mess is made! The frames measure 12cm wide. (A pack of five is priced at just £1.99)


Ellie choose her template and the stickers she wanted to use in the appropriate colours that suited her (The good thing about these is you can mix and match, which Ellie thought was "Spooktacular"). She soon started sticking the pieces in place with no trouble at all. "This is so cool" Ellie told me.

"I might need some help placing my photo in place though..." She told me. Once she knew how to do it she was well away! We cut her photo to the right side and then put the back onto the frame, which is also self adhesive and holds the photograph perfectly in place. We then stuck the magnet onto the back of the frame and we were finished!




Ellie went on to make more frames and she decided she was going to cut out a cat from one of her favourite post cards because "I REALLLLLYYY adore cats and I'd quite like one in a frame" Ellie said. I offered to find a photograph of our cats but she really wanted to display one of her postcards! Bless her.


They look really spooky on our fridge! "They're epic" Ellie said proudly. And they truly are. They make lovely Halloween decorations and can be stuck to any metal surface. I am honestly going to keep these and put them on my fridge every October!


Baker Ross never fail to disappoint and I can not recommend these 'haunted house photo frame magnets' enough. They are such good value for the price. Ellie thoroughly enjoyed making them and I really enjoyed helping her. It's a really fun activity for children (and adults!).

Also, Baker Ross sell a wide range of Halloween arts and craft kits for children. Do head over and take a look. If you're anything like me, you'll have a hard job choosing as they sell a really good variety of products which are very reasonably priced. Baker Ross also sell a selection of Halloween 'Pocket Money Toys' which would make great Halloween party bag fillers.

What's your favourite thing about Halloween?

Sarah xXx



We were sent a sample of this product for the purpose of this review. All opinions are our own, honest, personal opinions. I was not paid for this post. 

I thought I would put together some of my children's favourite spooky, Halloween type movies that they like to watch this time of year. I also enjoy a good family movie! All of these movies are 'U' or 'PG' rated.


In no particular order...

• Pooh's Heffalump Halloween movie - This is my daughters absolute favourite! Winnie the pooh and his friends go trick or treating with 'Lumpy'. Lumpy has never been trick or treating before! With Roo by Lumpy's side he knows he can face anything. It';s a little bit scary for younger children but it's also funny in places and is the perfect Halloween movie for little children. (Rated U - suitable for all ages)
• Monster House - This one is Charlie's favourite Halloween type movie. 'Young DJ knew there was something strange about the Nebbcracker house across the street. The house becomes a living breathing monster....' Will DJ and his pals be able to save the neighbourhood from devastation? A fairly spooky movie rated PG. 
• Monsters Inc - Disney never fails! I personally wouldn't call this one spooky or scary but it's perfect for this time of year and is one of those movies that alwats makes us feel warm and cosy! I don't think my children will ever get bored of Disney's Monsters Inc. This movie is rated a 'U'
• Casper - Any Casper movie/cartoon. Casper is a little friendly ghost. We really enjoy 'Casper Scare School Scare day- which is full of Vampires, Zombies and other creatures of the night. It's a cartoon style. This movie is rated a 'U' and suitable for all ages. 
• Goosebumps - My personal favourite - We actually saw this in the cinema and it was epic! My daughter who was eight years old at the time got a bit scared in places but she ended up really enjoying it. The film is rated a PG. It follows a boy named Zach who is new to the neighbour hood, he meets the girl next door 'Hannah' and they quickly become friends. Hannah is the daughter of the best selling Author R.L Stine. Stine is rather mysterious.. The monsters from his book become real... It's a really good movie and I highly recommend it. I promise that adults will enjoy this too and if you read the books Goosebumps when you were younger, you will certainly enjoy this movie. 
• Monsters High - Thirteen Wishes. I'll admit, I haven't seen this movie but my daughter really likes it! And Monsters High seems to be the latest craze. I am actually really looking forward to watching this DVD to see what all the fuss is about. 
• Scooby Doo The Movie - Who doesn't like Scooby Doo?! Follows Scooby are invited to a haunted theme park to try and solve a mystery.. Is the theme park haunted?  The movie is awesome. It's kind of spooky/jumpy in places. Another one that adults will also enjoy! I really love Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne, I think she's awesome and suits the roll well. 
• Coraline - Based on Neil Gaiman's best selling book 'Coraline' (I recently read the book. It's amazing!) An animated movie rated PG.  Coraline & her parents move into a new house. A house that's converted into flats. Two ladies live downstairs and a man lives upstairs.  Coraline is bored and ends up finding a secret door, through the secret door live her 'Other' parents who resemble her real parents and there world mirros Coralines normal world. Her 'Other' parents have buttons for eyes and are very creepy indeed! Coralines 'Other' mother tries to keep Coraline forever...  Coraline must be brave to try and save herself and her other parents so she can back to her normal life. This movie is rated PG but honestly, it's really creepy and just. I can't explain. Honestly, this is a really good movie, slightly different to the book but very, very good! I recommend this one if  you haven't seen it already! 
• Ghost busters - A classic! A paranormal researcher and her team try to prove that ghosts exists in modern society. Armed with plenty of attitude the team prepare for an epic battle! This movie is rated PG.
• Hotel Transylvania - We saw this movie in the cinema a few years ago. In 3D and not gonna lie those bats flying at me? Made me jump! When the monsters want to get away they go to Count Dracula's castle - A place where they can be themselves without any bother from Humans! One special weekend Dracula invites creatures like the Invisible Man and others to celebrate his daughter 'Mavis' 118th Birthday.  A human gate crashes the party and ends up falling in love with Mavis. Uh-oh. This movie had me in stitches of laughter, the kids were giggling through it too but it also has 'scary' scenes, too. Hotel Transylvania is an absolute perfectly hilarious movie for Halloween that anyone, any age can enjoy! My kids thoroughly enjoy this movie.

What are your favourite movies to watch on Halloween or during Autumn? 

Sarah xXx

Every month I set a family bucket list. Having a "Bucket List" each months really helps me reach some goals and achieve things that we can do as a family. October is probably my favourite month of the year . I love Autumn and the kids enjoy Halloween! Here is our bucket list for October.


What's on your bucket list for October?

Sarah xXx

Halloween is approaching fast! In fact it's everywhere I look. We really love Halloween, the kids are super excited about and you can imagine how excited they were to make these frightful halloween handprint bat decorations that yellow moon sent us!


Each kit contains: 
4 foam bats
Coloured foam in four different coulors for the hand prints
Ribbon
Self adhesive shapes for decorating
split pins
Googly eyes.


First of all we drew around our hands and cut those out, then we used the split pins to attach the hands or "wings" to the foam bat shape. The bat size is approximately 14cm.


We loved decorating our bats with there sparkly tummies and ears! "The eyes and mouth look funny and creepy" Ellie told me! Haha. I did have to supervise and help the kids out a little bit with these because cutting was involved and the split pins needed some adult supervision. I enjoyed it though! And the kids enjoyed it. I like the fact no mess was involved and no glue is needed!


It's really easy, simple halloween craft activity that everyone can enjoy. Priced at just £3.75 for four bats, you can't really grumble! they are well worth the money and look fantastic hanging on the window handles. Making our own halloween decorations is now our new halloween tradition!


Do you have any Halloween traditions? I'd love to about them hear them if you do. :)

Sarah xXx

I was sent a sample of this product for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own, honest, personal opinions. I was not paid for this post.