I am so, so fortunate to live where I do. It's a wonderful town in beautiful north Hertfordshire and we're surrounded by green as far as the eye can see. And every few months a new colour appears on the horizon. Last month it was blue, in a few weeks it will be purple. Right now though, it's red. I met up with Kasia last week and she took me to a nearby poppy field to practice with my camera. She had spotted the blanket of bright red poppies from the train and worked out how to find them. Of course, I had to go back with the boys. And what better outfits to put them in than beautiful rainbows from Polarn O. Pyret's Same Difference Collection, to stand out against the sea of red. 


Mini Style: Poppy Fields in Polarn O. Pyret

I am so, so fortunate to live where I do. It's a wonderful town in beautiful north Hertfordshire and we're surrounded by green as far as the eye can see. And every few months a new colour appears on the horizon. Last month it was blue, in a few weeks it will be purple. Right now though, it's red. I met up with Kasia last week and she took me to a nearby poppy field to practice with my camera. She had spotted the blanket of bright red poppies from the train and worked out how to find them. Of course, I had to go back with the boys. And what better outfits to put them in than beautiful rainbows from Polarn O. Pyret's Same Difference Collection, to stand out against the sea of red. 


Welcome to Happy Days! Katy and I host this linky with the purpose of inspiring you to make the most of each day, no matter what you've been up to, and to find happiness in every day. It's where I share the little moments that have brought me joy. 

"Enjoy the little things


Happy Days: Little Things & Big Things

Welcome to Happy Days! Katy and I host this linky with the purpose of inspiring you to make the most of each day, no matter what you've been up to, and to find happiness in every day. It's where I share the little moments that have brought me joy. 

"Enjoy the little things


When Little N was just ten months old, we were at a family gathering. He had only just starting learning how to use cutlery, and I was pretty proud of his efforts. I was eating my dessert when he toddled over to me, gave me a big grin, and took the spoon out of my bowl.

A relative immediately said, "you need to smack him."

I don't care what you say, I won't smack my children

When Little N was just ten months old, we were at a family gathering. He had only just starting learning how to use cutlery, and I was pretty proud of his efforts. I was eating my dessert when he toddled over to me, gave me a big grin, and took the spoon out of my bowl.

A relative immediately said, "you need to smack him."

At the start of this year, Katy & I launched our new Instagram project, #MyHappyCapture. The aim of the project is to celebrate your happy moments, those that make you smile. We want to use the hashtag to build an Instagram community where you can share photos that encompass happiness. Every month we choose our favourite photos that have been shared using the tag and round them up on our blogs! 

My Happy Capture: May Round-up

At the start of this year, Katy & I launched our new Instagram project, #MyHappyCapture. The aim of the project is to celebrate your happy moments, those that make you smile. We want to use the hashtag to build an Instagram community where you can share photos that encompass happiness. Every month we choose our favourite photos that have been shared using the tag and round them up on our blogs! 

Welcome to Happy Days! Katy and I host this linky with the purpose of inspiring you to make the most of each day, no matter what you've been up to, and to find happiness in every day. It's where I share the little moments that have brought me joy. 

"Let the sun shine through your heart


Happy Days: Sandy Toes & Salty Hair

Welcome to Happy Days! Katy and I host this linky with the purpose of inspiring you to make the most of each day, no matter what you've been up to, and to find happiness in every day. It's where I share the little moments that have brought me joy. 

"Let the sun shine through your heart


A few weeks ago I told you about Away Resorts and their Little Campers breaks. Little Campers holidays are toddler-friendly breaks packed with lots of fun and activities tailored for families with tots under the age of five, and these four night, mid-week breaks are running throughout June. You can learn more about Little Campers, and get an exclusive discount code, in this post. Last week Ian, the boys and I went to stay at the Whitecliff Bay holiday park on the Isle of Wight to experience a Great British Holiday for ourselves.

Away Resorts Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park, Isle of Wight | Review

A few weeks ago I told you about Away Resorts and their Little Campers breaks. Little Campers holidays are toddler-friendly breaks packed with lots of fun and activities tailored for families with tots under the age of five, and these four night, mid-week breaks are running throughout June. You can learn more about Little Campers, and get an exclusive discount code, in this post. Last week Ian, the boys and I went to stay at the Whitecliff Bay holiday park on the Isle of Wight to experience a Great British Holiday for ourselves.

I've been vegan for a few months now, but it's taking me some time to get my head around vegan cake making. A lot of recipes I've found use ingredients that I can't have, like almonds, or ingredients that are hard to find, like egg replacers. Then I found out about bare cupboard cakes, and those kind of recipes totally work for making delicious vegan cupcakes. Hurrah! It's also a good recipe for people with dairy or egg allergies. We made these cupcakes for celebrating the Queen's 90th birthday but you could make them for any special occasion. They only take 20 minutes to bake, and I bet you already have all the ingredients you need! 

Recipe: Deliciously Vegan Spiced Cupcakes

I've been vegan for a few months now, but it's taking me some time to get my head around vegan cake making. A lot of recipes I've found use ingredients that I can't have, like almonds, or ingredients that are hard to find, like egg replacers. Then I found out about bare cupboard cakes, and those kind of recipes totally work for making delicious vegan cupcakes. Hurrah! It's also a good recipe for people with dairy or egg allergies. We made these cupcakes for celebrating the Queen's 90th birthday but you could make them for any special occasion. They only take 20 minutes to bake, and I bet you already have all the ingredients you need! 

I've always been conscious of reducing the amount of food we waste as a family, and often I'll cook a portion or two extra so that I can freeze them for another day. My problem is remembering how long something has been in the freezer for; sometimes I'm just not sure so end up throwing it away anyway, which really defeats the point! Those clever folk at Joseph Joseph have the perfect solution to my problem, with their Dial food storage containers.

Review: Joseph Joseph Dial

I've always been conscious of reducing the amount of food we waste as a family, and often I'll cook a portion or two extra so that I can freeze them for another day. My problem is remembering how long something has been in the freezer for; sometimes I'm just not sure so end up throwing it away anyway, which really defeats the point! Those clever folk at Joseph Joseph have the perfect solution to my problem, with their Dial food storage containers.

June's Bostik Blogger craft box had a really obvious theme. As soon as we opened the box Little N said, "oh look mummy, it's a jungle!" I took one look at the contents and knew exactly what we were going to create: a jungle theme lollipop stick puppet show. A great craft idea for all these rainy days we've been having so far this month! If you want to see last month's weather themed craft idea you can find it here.


Little N loves animals, colours and counting so this craft is the ideal way to incorporate some learning in those areas. The lollipop stick puppets can be slotted into the background along any of the sides, which are open thanks to only being stuck down at the corners.


To make a jungle lollipop stick puppet show you will need

- A4 piece of card (we used a glittery piece as it's a more interesting texture)
- A4 piece of animal print paper
- foam animal shapes
- lollipop sticks
- feathers, buttons and gems for decorating
- scissors


Here's how we made it

- Using the Bostik White Glu stick feathers, buttons and gems to the card to create an interesting background. You could draws some trees if you like. As my boys are only little, sticking things was easier for them.
- Cut a rectangle out of the middle of the animal patterned paper, leaving a 1 inch border all the way around.
- Apply a Bostik Glu Dot to each corner of the paper and secure it to the decorated card.
- Using more Bostik Glu Dots stick a foam animal shape to each lollipop stick.
- You are now ready to play! Slide the lollipop stick puppets into the side of the frame and move them about to create your little ones very own jungle adventure!


What other jungle-themed crafts should we try? Let me know in the comments below!


With thanks to Bostik for providing the craft materials. This post contains affiliate links. Quite Frankly She Said is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk  

Craft Idea: Jungle Animal Lollipop Stick Puppet Show

June's Bostik Blogger craft box had a really obvious theme. As soon as we opened the box Little N said, "oh look mummy, it's a jungle!" I took one look at the contents and knew exactly what we were going to create: a jungle theme lollipop stick puppet show. A great craft idea for all these rainy days we've been having so far this month! If you want to see last month's weather themed craft idea you can find it here.


Little N loves animals, colours and counting so this craft is the ideal way to incorporate some learning in those areas. The lollipop stick puppets can be slotted into the background along any of the sides, which are open thanks to only being stuck down at the corners.


To make a jungle lollipop stick puppet show you will need

- A4 piece of card (we used a glittery piece as it's a more interesting texture)
- A4 piece of animal print paper
- foam animal shapes
- lollipop sticks
- feathers, buttons and gems for decorating
- scissors


Here's how we made it

- Using the Bostik White Glu stick feathers, buttons and gems to the card to create an interesting background. You could draws some trees if you like. As my boys are only little, sticking things was easier for them.
- Cut a rectangle out of the middle of the animal patterned paper, leaving a 1 inch border all the way around.
- Apply a Bostik Glu Dot to each corner of the paper and secure it to the decorated card.
- Using more Bostik Glu Dots stick a foam animal shape to each lollipop stick.
- You are now ready to play! Slide the lollipop stick puppets into the side of the frame and move them about to create your little ones very own jungle adventure!


What other jungle-themed crafts should we try? Let me know in the comments below!


With thanks to Bostik for providing the craft materials. This post contains affiliate links. Quite Frankly She Said is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk  

Wicked Uncle is an awesome online toy shop, created not with the parents in mind but to help other relatives and friends buy presents for children. You'd think that with having my two boys and my two stepchildren that I would be a total pro at gift shopping by now, but actually I always end up a little flummoxed and often just buy something safe. For the last few months, all of Little N's friends have been receiving Play-Doh for their birthdays!

Review: Wicked Uncle Children's Gift Service

Wicked Uncle is an awesome online toy shop, created not with the parents in mind but to help other relatives and friends buy presents for children. You'd think that with having my two boys and my two stepchildren that I would be a total pro at gift shopping by now, but actually I always end up a little flummoxed and often just buy something safe. For the last few months, all of Little N's friends have been receiving Play-Doh for their birthdays!

When you think of your child's "firsts", what do you think of? First smile, first tastes of food, first steps, first day at school. When you become a parent, every day is a new opportunity for another "first" to be discovered - and believe me there is something to be learnt every single day. Big things and small things.

My Children's Firsts with My First Petits Filous

When you think of your child's "firsts", what do you think of? First smile, first tastes of food, first steps, first day at school. When you become a parent, every day is a new opportunity for another "first" to be discovered - and believe me there is something to be learnt every single day. Big things and small things.

My children love to spend as much time as possible outdoors, even when it's raining they want to be in the garden. The younger boys would spend the whole day outside if they could and my stepchildren ask to go out as soon as they're home each day. Our garden is a real haven for all sorts of mini-beasts and little animals; we have slugs, snails, worms, woodlice, ants, frogs, hedgehogs and birds to name a few! There was a real buzz of excitement when we received a package from Interplay containing their Worm World kit and some real, live worms, so we could learn more about them and how they live.

interplay-worm-world

Learning About Worms with Interplay Worm World | Review

My children love to spend as much time as possible outdoors, even when it's raining they want to be in the garden. The younger boys would spend the whole day outside if they could and my stepchildren ask to go out as soon as they're home each day. Our garden is a real haven for all sorts of mini-beasts and little animals; we have slugs, snails, worms, woodlice, ants, frogs, hedgehogs and birds to name a few! There was a real buzz of excitement when we received a package from Interplay containing their Worm World kit and some real, live worms, so we could learn more about them and how they live.

interplay-worm-world
Welcome to Happy Days! Katy and I host this linky with the purpose of inspiring you to make the most of each day, no matter what you've been up to, and to find happiness in every day. It's where I share the little moments that have brought me joy. 

“Rainy days are good for the soul.


Happy Days: Muddy Puddles

Welcome to Happy Days! Katy and I host this linky with the purpose of inspiring you to make the most of each day, no matter what you've been up to, and to find happiness in every day. It's where I share the little moments that have brought me joy. 

“Rainy days are good for the soul.


I absolutely love reading birth stories as every experience is so unique, and after sharing my own two very different birth experiences [emergency c-section and natural VBAC] I decided to ask other mums and dads to share their beautiful birth stories with me, too. If you’d like to share your birth story, send me an email or get in touch via Twitter or Facebook.

Laura from Dear Bear and Beany is sharing one of her birth stories today. It is the story of her first daughter's birth. After a bit of a slow start, her labour suddenly picked up the pace and it was a real sprint to the finishing line!


The birth of my first baby girl…

Beautiful Births #18: Laura's Drug-Free Birth

I absolutely love reading birth stories as every experience is so unique, and after sharing my own two very different birth experiences [emergency c-section and natural VBAC] I decided to ask other mums and dads to share their beautiful birth stories with me, too. If you’d like to share your birth story, send me an email or get in touch via Twitter or Facebook.

Laura from Dear Bear and Beany is sharing one of her birth stories today. It is the story of her first daughter's birth. After a bit of a slow start, her labour suddenly picked up the pace and it was a real sprint to the finishing line!


The birth of my first baby girl…

Fireman Sam has launched a nationwide campaign to highlight the importance of keeping safe this summer. It's in partnership with Child Safety Week, which runs from 6th to 12th June 2016 and is an annual drive by the Child Accident Prevention Trust which raises awareness of child-related accidents and how to prevent them from happening. Fireman Sam has come up with a list of his top ten summer safety tips for parents and children on how to stay safe and reduce the risk of any accidents, and to bring these tips to life Fireman Sam and his team are featuring in animated videos so that all the family can become aware and stay safe this summer.

Child Safety Week: Fireman Sam's Summer Safety Campaign

Fireman Sam has launched a nationwide campaign to highlight the importance of keeping safe this summer. It's in partnership with Child Safety Week, which runs from 6th to 12th June 2016 and is an annual drive by the Child Accident Prevention Trust which raises awareness of child-related accidents and how to prevent them from happening. Fireman Sam has come up with a list of his top ten summer safety tips for parents and children on how to stay safe and reduce the risk of any accidents, and to bring these tips to life Fireman Sam and his team are featuring in animated videos so that all the family can become aware and stay safe this summer.

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