# Happy Family Hub > Mummy. Fiancee. Blogger. Brain Tumour Patient. Social Media Manager. Living our best family life in Warwick. ## Posts - [The newborn days: Top tips for new mums](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/new-mums/): After this week’s happy news of the royal newborn Prince to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, it was a… - [Soft Play Heaven: The Jelly Lounge, Windsor](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/soft-play-jelly-lounge/): If you’re a parent of a small human, it is inevitable that you’ve taken them to a Soft Play centre.… - [Book Review: Strawberry Monkey Loves the Sun](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/strawberry-monkey-book/): One of the greatest pleasures on any day with our little one is the chance to snuggle up and read… - [Taming Toddlers: A Parent's Guide to Tantrums](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/toddlertantrums/): Entry into toddlerhood is quite often the cute stage of growing up. Their lust for life never fails to wonder.… - [Review: Squidgydoodle Unicorns & Rainbows Kids Craft Box](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/squidgydoodle/): Crafting with our daughter is such a pleasure. Despite the mess it creates, the passion and creativity is a delight… - [Easter Holiday 2018 What's on Guide - Bracknell & surrounding areas](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/easter2018/): The Easter Holidays are fast approaching and you may be wondering what to do with the kids whilst they are… - [Exploring the River & Rowing Museum in Henley](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/rrm-henley/): What words do you conjure up in your mind when you think about Henley? I can pretty much guarantee that… - [Woodland train fun at Pinewood Miniature Railway](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/pinewood-railway/): Pinewood Miniature Railway has been running trains in Berkshire for over 25 years. They are based at the Pinewood Centre,… - [Sunshine Blogger Award](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/sunshine-blogger-award/): I was nominated by Hayley at Very Mummy for the Sunshine Blogger Award. The Sunshine Blogger Award is given out by bloggers… - [Educational fun at home with Mrs Mactivity](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/educational-fun-home-mrs-mactivity/): Mrs Mactivity is a website containing a plethora of activities to do at home. It is the brainchild of ex teacher Mary.… - [Our top 5 books of February 2018](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/top-5-books-february-2018/): We love to read books with our little one, either ones we own or those that we borrow from a… - [Bouncing around at Bracknell Trampoline Centre](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/bracknell-trampoline-centre/): As a parent of an active toddler, I’m often looking for different things to do where we can enjoy time… - [Becoming a bit of a social animal - my Digital Mums journey](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/becoming-a-bit-of-a-social-animal-my-digital-mums-journey/): I first discovered Digital Mums through a strategically placed advert on my Facebook feed that I saw during my maternity… - [A brand new shiny year — hello 2018!](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/a-brand-new-shiny-year%e2%80%8a-%e2%80%8ahello-2018/): Okay, so we’re six days in now and it’s a little late — (never really thought about at what point do we… - [WIN a Hotel Chocolat Classic Christmas H-box with Bracknell Family Hub!](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/win-a-hotel-chocolat-classic-christmas-h-box-with-bracknell-family-hub/): We are very excited that Hotel Chocolat will soon be opening their store at The Lexicon, Bracknell on Saturday 9th… - [Review: Miki at Norden Farm, Maidenhead](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/miki/): We were lucky enough to see ‘Miki’ at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead. The show is produced… - [Q&A: Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards 2018](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/qa-pride-of-bracknell-forest-awards-2018/): The Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards 2018 are on their way soon and this means that nominations are now open… - [Life as a working parent](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/life-as-a-working-parent/): So, you know how the story goes, one minute you’re pregnant and looking forward to a year or so off… - [My Craniotomy Experience - Brain Surgery and Brain Tumours are not for the faint-hearted!](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/my-craniotomy-experience-brain-surgery-brain-tumour/): Sharing my experience with a brain tumour is sometimes daunting, but I find it really cathartic too. I have found it very worthwhile opening up about such a significant part of my life. After just over four years of active monitoring / watch and wait, and a decline in symptoms, I was told in December 2023 that a craniotomy (brain surgery) was now recommended. That surgery took place in March 2024 – which is why I haven’t written for a while, so please excuse my absence!You’re probably wondering how on earth you even deal with a brain tumour and going […] - [Father's Day Giveaway 2024](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/fathers-day-giveaway-2024/): Hooray for Dads and Father figures everywhere!It’s Father’s Day weekend and time to celebrate those special Dads and father figures in our lives. It’s a day to say thank you, to show love and appreciation for everything that they do for us. There’s another way to celebrate in the form of a Father’s Day Competition!We have teamed up with some other bloggers to offer some wonderful prizes in this Father’s Day giveaway. Why not try your luck?The GiveawayThis Father’s Day, prepare to delight the special man in your life with an extraordinary giveaway brought to you by a collaboration of […] - [Review: Jack and the Beanstalk by Tread the Boards at the Cidermill Theatre, Chipping Campden](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/jack-beanstalk-tread-the-boards/): Pantomimes and shows are always a part of our family’s Christmas traditions, so we were very lucky to see Tread the Boards again this year in their annual colourful musical spectacular Jack and the Beanstalk. This season, they performed two pantomimes – one at their home turf The Attic Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, and this one at one of their other performance venues the Cidermill Theatre in Chipping Campden. Keep climbing that Beanstalk, Jack!Every year, Tread the Boards must wonder what calamities are going to be thrown their way. For example, we saw Wind in the Willows on picnic chairs in a […] - [Review: Wriggle Dance Theatre - Squidge at Warwick Arts Centre](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/review-wriggle-dance-theatre-squidge-at-warwick-arts-centre/): Wriggle Dance Theatre has delighted audiences far and near this year with their new tour for 2022. Squidge the show, which is aimed at 3-8-year-olds and their grown-ups, is based on the sense of touch. We were lucky enough to see them perform when the tour came to Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry. So what did we think? Find out in our review of Wriggle Dance Theatre – Squidge!Review: Wriggle Dance Theatre – Squidge at Warwick Arts Centre Who is Wriggle Dance Theatre? Wriggle Dance Theatre (who we recently interviewed for this Q&A), led by Co-Directors Kath Kimber-McTiffen and Lucy […] - [Interview with... Wriggle Dance Theatre](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/interview-with-wriggle-dance-theatre/): Wriggle Dance Theatre create theatrical dance performances for young children and their grown-ups. Their latest production, Squidge, is an interactive dance performance with live music and digital projection, which takes a light-hearted look at our sense of touch and how it influences our everyday lives. At the heart of their show is a tale of friendship, compromise and how each and every one of us needs touch to make us feel alive! We hosted an interview with Lucy Knight, Co-Director of Wriggle Dance Theatre to find out more about who they are and what Squidge is about.Interview with Lucy Knight, […] - [Stunning places to see Bluebells in Warwickshire](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/stunning-places-to-see-bluebells-in-warwickshire/): Springtime is finally here. The weather may need to buckle up its ideas every now and then, but if you take a look outside there are so many signs that spring is here and summer will be just around the corner before you know it. Daffodils have gone, but the bluebells have now appeared. They are usually with us between late April and early May, and every single year we wonder where the best places are to spot bluebells. Here at Happy Family Hub, we thought we’d share some places in (and near to) Warwickshire where you can see bluebells […] - [Tom Parker: Your star will always shine! (His Brain Tumour Story)](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/tom-parker-brain-tumour/): The Wanted’s Tom Parker died earlier this year of a grade 4 Glioblastoma brain tumour. His death has shocked many as he was so young, only 33, but also as he was so visible to many in the public eye.It’s taken me a while to write this post. I’m never usually one for crying at people I don’t know funerals. I usually get confused about why people do shed tears. Of course, I feel sad and situations are extremely devastating but celebrity deaths do not normally affect me in such a way.  However of course Tom’s story is a little […] - [Wonderful Warwickshire – February 2022 Half Term Ideas for Warwick, Leamington, Stratford, Coventry and the Surrounding Areas](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/feb-22-half-term/): It doesn’t seem that long since the kids have been back at school since Christmas but the February half term is on its way and you may be wondering what to do with the children whilst they are off school. There are plenty of activities going on in and around Warwickshire during the February 2022 half-term school holidays. Even more so now coronavirus restrictions are starting to ease. Here are some ideas of what you can do during the February 2022 Half Term in Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry and the surrounding areas.Museums and LibrariesCoventryCoventry Transport Museum, Coventry. Coventry Transport […] - [Review: Fun times at the Madhouse Soft Play in Leamington Spa](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/madhouse-soft-play-leamington/): If you’re a parent of a small human, then love it or loathe it, you have inevitably taken them to a soft play centre. On rainy days they’re a godsend and on sunny days they provide a welcome escape from the blazing heat! They are a good place to let off steam and for children to really let loose. In Winter 2021, there is now a new soft play on the block. Their philosophy is the more fun, the better. Welcome to ‘The Mad house’! Here is our review of our recent visit to the Madhouse Soft Play in Leamington […] - [Review: Night Owl Coverless Duvet - a heavenly night’s sleep from The Fine Bedding Company](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/review-night-owl-coverless-duvet-a-heavenly-nights-sleep-from-the-fine-bedding-company/): There’s one thing you can guarantee that everyone loves (children and adults alike) and that is a good night’s sleep. One thing that we all own and is personal to us, but we may not give much thought to very often is the duvet we have on our bed. Changing the duvet covers is not one of my favourite jobs at all (even less so after my adventures with long covid), so when the Fine Bedding Company very kindly asked if I’d like to test out one of their coverless duvets we were more than glad to! Here is our […] - [Loungewear Love: Rediscovering the Joy of Pyjamas with IDentity Lingerie](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/loungewear-love-rediscovering-the-joy-of-pyjamas-with-identity-lingerie/): Who doesn’t love pyjamas? If there’s anything we’ve learned from the coronavirus lockdown, then it is that having a decent set of pyjamas and loungewear is a must. In fact, the more sets the better (especially if you find yourself wearing them more than usual!). We’ve recently discovered this UK small company called ‘IDentity Lingerie’ who make handmade pyjamas (and also make lingerie and even facemasks too). Here is our review of IDentity Lingerie’s pyjamas.Why are pyjamas so great?Ultimately, they keep you warm and give make you feel great! This is especially true if made out of good quality materials […] - [Jaques of London Games Review: Mexican Train Dominoes & Tiddledy Winks](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/jaques-of-london-games-review-mexican-train-dominoes-tiddledy-winks/): It’s always good to have lots of indoor play ideas up your sleeve, whether it’s due to inclement weather outside or in more recent times self-isolation rules. We’ve spent so long inside in the last 18 months, and baked lots of fairy cakes and played so many games, that we were very excited to open up some new games over Christmas time from Jaques of London. They believe in the power of play and quality family time spent together. (Our family ethos!) They also make good quality toys made to last. Here is our Jaques of London games review.Who are […] - [Pantomime Review: Beauty and The Beast by Tread the Boards at the Attic Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/pantomime-review-beauty-and-the-beast-by-tread-the-boards-at-the-attic-theatre-stratford-upon-avon/): What a perfect pre- or post- Christmas treat than to go and watch a Pantomime. We’re in a more fortunate position this year, because even though sadly we all face the challenges that the coronavirus continues to deliver (more of that in a bit), theatre HAS returned and the show WILL go on. Noone knows that more so than Tread the Boards and this year have come back to their home turf of The Attic Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon (as well as Wethele Manor) to bring to audiences their interpretation of much loved classic Beauty and the Beast. We were lucky […] - [Review: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at Warwick Arts Centre](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/review-the-very-hungry-caterpillar-show-at-warwick-arts-centre/): As a pre-Christmas treat, we saw The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Warwick Arts Centre. It is great to be back inside the theatre again especially during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. This production of the famous Eric Carle book is created by Jonathan Rockerfeller and presented by MEI worldwide. It has been running since 2015, having premiered in Australia and the USA before touring world-wide and adapts The Very Hungry Caterpillar and also 4 other stories aimed at younger audiences. Here is our review of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show:What is the Very Hungry Caterpillar show about?The show is broken down […] - [Review: Tripping the Light Trail Fantastic at Luminate Coombe](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/review-tripping-the-light-trail-fantastic-at-luminate-coombe/): Luminate Coombe is a magical light trail that is held every year in the grounds of Coombe Abbey on the outskirts of Coventry. Sadly it got cancelled last year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But this year it is back much to everyone’s pleasure. The world may be full of darkness, but not in Coombe Abbey where there is certainly lots of hope and light! Coombe Abbey invited us along to find out what it was all about. So, here is our review of what we thought.What did we think? Our review of Luminate Coombe! (Part 1)I’d never been […] - [Wonderful Warwickshire - Christmas School Holidays 2021 Things to Do in Warwick, Leamington, Stratford, Coventry and the Surrounding Areas](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/wonderful-warwickshire-christmas-school-holidays-2021-things-to-do-in-warwick-leamington-stratford-coventry-and-the-surrounding-areas/): Did we really manage to make it to Christmas? I can’t believe we’re still not over coronavirus and still in the thick of it! Hopefully though you still manage to have some Christmas cheer, in whatever way that is. I really hope we don’t have to go back to homeschooling in the new year, it’s been nice that the children have managed to be in school for one whole term (give or take a few weeks off due to covid isolation and time off due to sickness bugs!). The end of term is finally here though and as always there […] - [Return of the Elf! Easy Elf on the Shelf ideas for Advent Fun](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/elfontheshelf/): 1st December. Guess who’s back? Back again? Everyone’s favourite (or maybe not so, dependent on your viewpoint) cheeky elf. Whether it’s a tradition your household partakes in or not, there’s no denying it’s become one of the most popular traditions in the leadup to the Christmas in recent years. Here are some easy elf on the shelf ideas to inspire your elf’s nocturnal adventures.The ElfIf you haven’t got your elf yet and you want to do it, it’s never too late. With the coronavirus crisis, you can always pretend your elf has been in ‘quarantine’ for 14 days and start […] - [The Great Festive Bundle Giveaway 2021!](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/the-great-festive-bundle-giveaway-2021/): What is going on with the world right now? There’s still a lot of uncertainty with the coronavirus situation, but you can’t escape it, the festive season is upon us and the advent countdown has begun and everyone deserves some Christmas cheer! We once again wanted to bring a smile to your face by offering you the chance to win some prizes to put a smile on your face. So here is the great festive prize bundle giveaway 2021! The Great Festive Prize Bundle Giveaway 2021 We are back for another Festive Giveaway! Some of the top UK bloggers have […] - [Review: Let the good times roll with the JD Bug Original Street Foldable Scooter](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/review-let-the-good-times-roll-with-the-jd-bug-original-street-foldable-scooter/): There comes a time in your child’s life when they are ready to graduate from their 3 wheeled scooter for a more ‘grown-up’ 2 wheeled scooter. A sad time because it means they are growing up but also quite exciting for them to have a new form of travel and a new found sense of independence!But what to choose?We had no idea what to choose. We started off with a Micro Trike followed by a Micro Scooter, but fancied something different for a more grown up scooter. In all honesty we had no idea on where to start to look […] - [Wonderful Warwickshire - October Half Term School Holidays 2021 Things to Do in Warwick, Leamington, Stratford, Coventry and the Surrounding Areas](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/wonderful-warwickshire-october-half-term-school-holidays-2021-things-to-do-in-warwick-leamington-stratford-coventry-and-the-surrounding-areas/): It feels good to be out and about doesn’t it? It’s all a bit strange though, and coronavirus DEFINITELY hasn’t gone away, what with it going around schools, how have you fared? Have you had to go back to homeschooling again? It seems that the school holidays have rolled around quickly again though and as always there are plenty of activities going on in and around Warwickshire during the school holidays. Here are some ideas of what you can do during October Half Term 2021 in Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry and the surrounding areas. What’s on in the 2021 October […] - [30 conversation starters: How to ask your child about their day at school](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/how-to-ask-your-child-about-their-day-at-school/): We all know what it’s like. You ask your child how their day at school was and are often met with answers of ‘fine’ or ‘can’t remember’. Short of being a fly on the wall (wouldn’t *that* be great?), how best can we ask questions to elicit some answers about what they actually did at school and got on during the day? We’ve put together some ideas of questions you can ask. Here are 30 conversation starters on how to ask your child about their day at school, whether they are new to school or are seasoned school-goers!Conversation starters: How […] - [Wonderful Warwickshire - Summer School Holidays 2021 Things to Do in Warwick, Leamington, Stratford, Coventry and the Surrounding Areas](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/wonderful-warwickshire-summer-school-holidays-2021-things-to-do-in-warwick-leamington-stratford-coventry-and-the-surrounding-areas/): We’ve had our freedom day, but things aren’t like they used to be. We’re taking our first tentative steps outside but life is still not what it’s been like in the past. It’s all still a bit strange so this Summer school holiday in 2021 is like no other! However, with coronavirus lockdown measures easing a bit, there are a few more things now starting to open thank goodness. There are plenty of activities going on in and around Warwickshire during the school holidays. Here are some ideas of what you can do during the Summer School Holidays 2021 in […] - [The Great Summer Prize Giveaway!](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/the-great-summer-prize-giveaway/): Everyone deserves a treat right now, what with the constant coronavirus pandemic situation and the continual chaos of the Summer Holiday rush. We wanted to bring a smile to your face by offering you the chance to win some prizes to put a smile on your face. So here is the great Summer prize giveaway! The Summer Prize Giveaway Some of the top UK bloggers have come together to offer one lucky winner an incredible prize bundle! We will be announcing the winner on 19th August so what a wonderful start to the month for our lucky winner! With such […] - [Wonderful Warwickshire - May / June 2021 Half Term Things to Do in Warwick, Leamington, Stratford, Coventry and the Surrounding Areas](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/wonderful-warwickshire-may-june-2021-half-term-warwickshire/): Is it safe to come ‘into the out’ yet? We don’t really know! It all still feels very strange and a bit scary as we take these tentative first steps towards a new normal which isn’t like anything we’ve ever been used to at all. With coronavirus lockdown measures easing a bit, there are a few more things now starting to open thank goodness. There are plenty of activities going on in and around Warwickshire during the school holidays. Here are some ideas of what you can do during the May / June 2021 Half Term in Warwick, Leamington Spa, […] - [The World Cup of CBeebies - A celebration of the best shows on CBeebies](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/world-cup-of-cbeebies-best-shows/): Every now and then something comes along that makes you smile that you never know you needed in your life. One of those things is definitely the World Cup of CBeebies – a celebration of the best CBeebies shows we parents (and of course the children) know and love.2021 marks the 4th year that the Twitter tournament has taken place, and the first year that Happy Family Hub has hosted it. We caught up with it’s extraordinary, amazing founders Laura (@wizard_of_loz) and Chris (@ChrisFunnell90) to find out how the #worldcupofcbeebies came about!Who are you and how did you come up […] - [Why I'm glad I said no to brain surgery (for now)](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/why-im-glad-i-said-no-to-brain-surgery-for-now/): I’ve not found it terribly easy to talk about my meningioma brain tumour recently because quite simply, there are other priorities on all of our minds right now! But I wanted to write a blog post about why I am glad I said no to brain surgery (for now) when asked to consider it a few months ago. What’s happening right now?I’m feeling very lucky right now. A whole lot luckier since when I was first diagnosed just over a year ago. My local NHS trust has managed to keep up the appointments for my neurosurgeon, radiologist (for MRI monitoring scans) […] - [Outdoor Pantomime Theatre Review: Cinderella by Tread the Boards](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/outdoor-pantomime-cinderella/): It’s Christmas time. It kind of feels like Christmas but it’s very, very different. Coronavirus continues to change all of our lives with all of us living under restriction. But there’s one thing that Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without and that is Pantomime! And local theatre company from Stratford-upon-Avon is once again showing us why the show must go on. Tread the Boards present to Warwickshire – Cinderella! One of what has got to be the UK’s only outdoor pantomimes in 2020.Outdoor TheatreWe first moved to Warwickshire back in 2018 and have been blessed with the amount of opportunities to […] - [The Big Christmas Prize Bundle Giveaway](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/the-big-christmas-prize-bundle-giveaway/): Whether you’re in there with the decorations already or you’re in denial until December, one thing for sure is that Christmas is just around the corner. The least said about 2020 the better, we have no idea what lockdown has in store for us around Christmas time. So, we wanted to bring a smile to your face by offering you the chance to win a bumper prize bundle just in time for the festive season! Here’s the big Christmas prize bundle giveaway. The Big Christmas Prize Bundle Giveaway With Christmas fast approaching, some of the UK’s top bloggers have got […] - [12 ways to celebrate kids’ birthdays in lockdown - making special memories with Moonpig](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/kids-birthdays-lockdown/): Coronavirus certainly has a lot to answer for this funny old year of 2020. We’ve become so used to this unusual new ‘normal’, we’ve survived homeschooling (but still wondering if this will be happening again in the not too distant future) and had our lives with friends and family and usual routine all shook up. However, another aspect of our lives it has affected is birthdays (and especially those of our children). So what are the best ways to celebrate kids’ birthdays in lockdown?The big 5!We have just celebrated Little C’s 5th birthday (i can’t quite believe it!). Our little […] - [Wonderful Warwickshire - October Half Term ideas for Warwick, Leamington, Stratford, Coventry and the Surrounding Areas](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/warwickshire-october-half-term-ideas/): So that’s it. The first half term of school done. It’s been a bit of a strange one hasn’t it? We continue to live ‘with’ Coronavirus with lockdown and restrictive measures meaning that things aren’t quite the same. There are plenty of activities going on in and around Warwickshire during the school holidays. Here are some ideas of what you can do during the October Half Term in Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry and the surrounding areas.  Warwickshire October Half Term Ideas for Warwick, Leamington, Stratford, Coventry & the Surrounding AreasMuseums and Libraries Coventry Where’s Wally? Spooky Museum Search, Herbert […] - [Easy Halloween Hot Dog Recipes with Ye Olde Oak](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/halloween-hot-dog-recipes/): It’s that time of year again! Halloween is around the corner and we know it’s going to be different this year. Trick or treating is off the menu. Pumpkin trails and family parties at home are a go-go. When Ye Olde Oak challenged us to create some fun easy Halloween hot dog recipes we jumped up at the chance! What a perfect addition for any spooky Halloween party.Gruesome Goodies: The Mummy DogsIngredients1 tin of Ye Olde Oak Classic hot dogsPacket of puff-pastryTomato ketchup1 medium eggMethod1. Empty hot dogs, including brine, into a saucepan and heat gently for about 5 minutes.2. […] - [Happy Family, Happy Business featuring Heartistic](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/happy-family-happy-business-heartistic/): Happy Family, Happy Business is our new series that features businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire run by parents/carers of children. It aims to showcase smaller businesses and also discuss how owners balance work and family life. Today, we’re happy to introduce our first business owner to be featured. Meet Caroline Flint from Heartistic. We first met Caroline when she organised the community fence painting project on Chase Meadow in Warwick and continue to be delighted by her designs.Tell me a bit about yourself, where you live and your family.My name is Caroline and I live in Warwick with my son […] - [Halloween Decorations for Busy People](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/halloween-decorations-for-busy-people/): If there’s one thing that is guaranteed, it is that Halloween happens every year! Each October, the majority of households (mostly with children) are dressed up and decorated to the nines with spooky offerings. This year, we decided to look into ideas for quick and easy halloween decorations for busy people!InspirationIt has been a busy year (hello Coronavirus!) and Halloween will be a lot different for children this year. But does the fun have to stop? No! We have been inspired by window displays that we and others have made during lockdown and have decided to decorate our window and […] - [Introducing Happy Family, Happy Business](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/happy-family-happy-business/): In 2020, we will be launching a new Q&A series on the Happy Family Hub blog. It is called ‘Happy Family, Happy Business’ (#happyfamilyhappybusiness). We will be posing questions to parents/carers who run their own businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire.Supporting local businessesThis will be a great way to champion and support local businesses as well as giving others an insight into how you balance family and working life, and also where you like to enjoy your family time together. Would you like to feature on Happy Family, Happy Business?We can’t wait to hear from you! If you would like to get […] - [7 things I wish people knew about Brain Tumours](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/7-things-i-wish-people-knew-about-brain-tumours/): Every year on 1st October, we wear grey to raise awareness of the often invisible illness of brain tumours. People from across the UK come together to wear grey and show their support for people who are living with a brain tumour. Raising awareness of the signs and symptoms, how people can cope and also raising awareness of funds for the few brain cancer charities in the country is an issue that is close to my heart, having been diagnosed with a meningioma back in November 2019. This blog post discusses 7 things I wish people knew about brain tumours.7 […] - [My Popmaster Experience: Quizzing on the Radio](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/my-popmaster-experience/): Being a contestant on BBC Radio 2’s Popmaster was always on my wish-list. Of course there are more traditional wishes, but being on Popmaster was always high on there. On 24th July 2020 they granted my wish and I was picked to be a contestant. Here is an account of my Popmaster experience. You can also see what questions I had to see how well you would have done on the day. What is Popmaster?Popmaster for those that may not have discovered this gem is a daily pop quiz on BBC Radio 2. It started on the 16th July 1998 and […] - [To my daughter on your first day of school](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/first-day-of-school/): Today marked a huge milestone in your precious little life. Your first day at primary school. We have pictured this day for the last few years as we’ve seen you grow up into the big girl you are who is now ready to embrace life’s adventures. You have got your pretty new pinafore, polo shirt, school cardigan and butterfly embellished shiny shoes! Everything’s ready – you’ve got your bottle, book bag and a big smile on your face. Your wispy blonde hair is pulled neatly into a ponytail in an attempt to look smart. You were so excited upon waking […] - [Book Review: Roly the Hedgehog (and Friends)](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/book-review-roly-the-hedgehog/): Every day is a book day in our house. As we’ve spent more time enjoying our house and garden during lockdown, we’ve been reading and enjoying the things closer to home a lot more. We were pleased to discover the ‘Roly the Hedgehog book series. I’d say that these books are primarily suited to age 2-6 year old children. They have been great for Little C who has a huge interest in bees and butterflies right now and is also digesting many books in preparation for starting school!*Disclaimer: Sponsored Content/Ad. Please note that we were gifted these books for the […] - [Warwickshire Museum in your home (#museumfromhome)](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/warwickshire-museum-museumfromhome/): Life has changed for everyone this year due to coronavirus (we can’t seem to escape it). With it, we have seen the closure of lots of different places we’d usually visit during the long summer holidays such as libraries and museums. Market Hall Museum (Warwickshire Museum) in Warwick is no different and had to close for a few months. Now they have adapted to the ‘new normal’ with some exciting new initiatives such as pre-booked visits and the exciting #museumfromhome offering.What is Warwickshire Museum #museumfromhome?Warwickshire Museum explain “You can’t come to our events so we’re bringing a taste of them […] - [Outdoor Theatre Review: Wind in the Willows by Tread the Boards](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/wind-in-the-willows/): Once upon a time, the C word mostly meant Christmas. However, in times like these, the C word has meant Covid-19 aka Coronavirus which has put paid to a lot of our everyday pursuits. The theatre industry has been hit hard, with all indoor venues having to shut and outdoor performances only recently able to resume. The last time we went to the theatre was last Christmas time. But we were lucky to be treated to our first piece of theatre for a long time at Studley Cricket Club. Here is our outdoor theatre review of Wind in the Willows […] - [Homeschooling during the Coronavirus pandemic: 10 things I've learned](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/homeschooling-coronavirus/): It’s finally the school holidays and also the end (for now) of homeschooling during the Coronavirus pandemic for many parents. So, how has it gone for you? Technically, our daughter is still pre-school age so didn’t necessarily require homeschooling during her absence However, as she was beginning to make good progress learning basic literacy and numeracy skills, I wasn’t going to waste the enforced ‘break’. I decided that Little C benefits from routine, and as she has the thirst for knowledge, I wanted to embrace this and incorporate some homeschooling during lockdown. She is starting school this September and I wanted […] - [Up for the challenge (in more ways than one)](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/challenge/): It’s been a while since I blogged about the tumour. Mainly, because there has been nothing new really to report. Also, because our world has gone coronavirus crazy and we have been in lockdown. As the parent of a super-active 4 year old, that has meant that I have been kept super busy since the end of March, that’s for sure! So for the last 3 months there have been lots of challenges related to that funny boney mass in my head. Living with a brain tumour during coronavirus / Covid-19 is a new one for everyone. Up for the […] - [8 tips for stress-free sleep training your baby](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/sleep-training/): This is a guest post from Saima, aka blogger ‘A Super Tired Mom‘. She shares with us some tips for stress-free sleep training your baby for those parents who choose this for their little ones. Getting your child to sleep at night is tricky, as you well know. Here’s a viewpoint of another mum on how best to achieve the goal.Sleep training is one of the hardest phases of motherhood. Sleepless nights, dark circles around your eyes, and a constantly irritated mood surely defines this stage perfectly. On top of all this, the varied information available on the internet about how to […] - [Getting school ready! Tips to help your child prepare for starting primary school](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/starting-primary-school/): It doesn’t seem five minutes since they were born does it? Now, they’re little people ready to start primary school. At time of writing, the future school career of our children looks very, very different for us all right now. Coronavirus may indeed change education in its entirety. But what can you do for getting your child ‘school-ready’ in preparation for starting reception class at primary school?Little C begins school this year and we are so excited for her yet quite sad that her baby/toddler/pre-school days are over. She has blossomed and bloomed so much and we will miss spending […] - [Livin' la vida lockdown - an A to Z of family life during the Coronavirus pandemic](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/coronavirus-lockdown-atoz/): I think we must be on week 6 or 7 of lockdown in the UK now. Like everyone else, I’ve lost all concept of time at the moment and days roll into one. Coronavirus, aka Covid 19 has hit the world hard and here in the UK we have been staying at home to protect ourselves and others since the 23rd/24th March 2020. Life has been incredibly busy here at home. My fiance Carl and I live here with Little C who is four. Carl is fortunate enough to still be working, so between us we are keeping up with the […] - [Frustration, Flowers and Fundraising](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/frustration-flowers-and-fundraising/): It’s been a funny few weeks. I think when you’ve got a brain tumour, there is some sort of stage process you go through. At first it was shock, then denial/concentrating on something else and now a little bit of frustration and fear. So, how do I combat that? That aside, it’s also been a month of epic fundraising for brainstrust which has done nothing but make me smile!Getting used to living with itI think I’m feeling frustrated mainly due to the headaches and tinnitus. Every morning I wake up and they’re still there! The stabbing pain is a bit […] - [The Mother's Day Prize Bundle Giveaway](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/the-mothers-day-prize-bundle-giveaway/): What do you think of when you think about March? Daffodils? Baby lambs? The dream that is a lie-in and breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day? Mothering Sunday this year falls on Sunday 22nd March 2020. Put that date in your diary so you’re well-prepared to treat your loved ones and also perhaps be treated yourself. Being a Mum can be a demanding job and you deserve to be rewarded too. So, why not enter our prize bundle giveaway so that you can win some fabulous Mother’s Day goodies?  The Mother’s Day Prize Bundle Giveaway This Mother’s Day some of […] - [Review: Wriggle Dance Theatre - Rainbowfish Goes Adrift](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/review-wriggle-dance-theatre-rainbowfish-goes-adrift/): Wriggle Dance Theatre create theatrical dance performances for young children and their grown-ups. Their latest production, Rainbowfish goes Adrift, tells the story about a lost fish and explores the concept of plastic waste and being kind to our planet. Even though she’s a bit older than the target age group, we think Greta Thunberg would also definitely enjoy this performance on such an important topic!Who are Wriggle Dance Theatre?Wriggle Dance Theatre, led by Co-Directors Kath Kimber-McTiffen and Lucy Knight, are a Northamptonshire based company. They primarily tour their (often free) musical based performances and workshops in libraries, community halls, schools […] - [Play Square - Imaginative Role-Play in Warwick for the Under 5's](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/play-square-warwick/): When we first moved house to Warwick and asked for recommendations about children’s clubs and classes, Playbox Theatre’s name came up again and again. Little C has been going to classes there since she was a toddler. However, as well as their fabulous portfolio of classes, Playbox Theatre now has a new offering! Play Square is an imaginative role-play space that opens free of charge for families with 0-5 year old children in Warwickshire and beyond to enjoy. What is Play Square? Play Square is an imaginative role play space based at The Dream Factory (Playbox Theatre) in Warwick. You […] - [Wonderful Warwickshire – February 2020 Half Term Ideas for Warwick, Leamington, Stratford, Coventry and the Surrounding Areas](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/warwickshire-february-2020-half-term/): It doesn’t seem that long since the kids have been back at school since Christmas but the February half term is on its way and you may be wondering what to do with the children whilst they are off school. There are plenty of activities going on in and around Warwickshire during the school holidays. Here are some ideas of what you can do during the February 2020 Half Term in Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry and the surrounding areas.  Museums and Libraries Warwick Arty Tots step into Spring, Market Hall Museum, Warwick – Tuesday 18th February 2020, 10am – […] - [Me, My Brain & I - a new years update](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/me-my-brain-i-a-new-years-update/): It’s now been two months since the day I was told I had a brain tumour. It’s been a whirlwind two months to say the least, but I thought I’d write an update of how it’s all going! I’ve had a fair few appointments, and some unpleasant symptoms, but we’re working it out day by day. An update At the end of 2019, the ophthalmologist and the neurosurgeon were talking about the complex surgery that I would need to have. However, after further scans and analysis, it looks like I may have been granted a reprieve for a while. It […] - [Review: ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Smoking Apples at Bridge House Theatre, Warwick](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/review-a-christmas-carol-by-smoking-apples-at-bridge-house-theatre-warwick/): We were lucky enough to go and see ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Bridge House Theatre, Warwick. The show is produced by Smoking Apples and Bridge House Theatre. Smoking Apples are a theatre company who specialise in puppetry and visual theatre. They create shows for all ages, often involving difficult, hard-to-digest subject matters. This year’s Christmas production sees them take on the festive classic ‘A Christmas Carol’. Here is our review. What is the show about? The story tells of the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. Mr Scrooge HATES Christmas and is extremely greedy. He is mean to his work colleague Bob […] - [Living with a Brain Tumour: a Journey Into the Unknown](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/living-with-a-brain-tumour-a-journey-into-the-unknown/): With every story comes a plot twist, and unfortunately mine comes in the shape of a recent brain tumour diagnosis. 2019 has been a tricky year so far including losing a close family member, so it was a huge shock to receive such news for me and my family. I’ve been a bit quiet on social media of late as have been finding it difficult to focus and concentrate, and this may have been one of the reasons why! But, why let things stop you. I enjoy writing, and even though this isn’t a health blog, it is part of […] - [Painting a Community: Fun Art for Warwick Families](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/playground-warwick/): A community project where families have painted colourful fence panels in a playground in Warwick has been the talk of the town this Summer. Caroline and Karen, local residents of Chase Meadow in Warwick wanted to do something for the community and came up with the idea of brightening up The Marish playground. From Pinterest to the Playground Caroline and Karen are not only neighbours and friends, but are also part of the Residents Association. Whilst discussing the recent community gardening project, they talked about their new idea. The idea? Painting the playground fence running alongside the community garden! Caroline […] - [Bouncing Fun at Jump In Trampoline Park Warwick](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/jump-in-warwick/): When it comes to thinking of ways to wear out children, one thing that often crops up is Trampolining! This fun, bounce-tastic (sorry, couldn’t resist) activity is one of our favourites, so we were pleased to be asked along recently to try out Jump In Trampoline Park, Warwick. Perfect for these long summer holidays! Here, you can find out more about what’s inside and also what they’ve got going on during the holidays. As well as Warwick, you can also find Jump In Trampoline Parks at Aberdeen, Camberley (Gravity Force), Edinburgh, Elstree, Enfield, Shrewsbury, Slough and Tonbridge. What’s Jump In? […] - [10 Truths about the School Summer Holidays only a Parent Would Know](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/summer-holidays-truths/): If you’re reading this, it’s highly likely you are a parent and you’re currently enjoying / bearing with (delete as appropriate) the school summer holidays. This is a fantastic time of year to spend as a family, and bond with your children but can also feel like an endurance test. We thought we’d share with you, after talking with some other parents too, 10 truths about the School Summer Holidays only a parent would know. Are these familiar? 1. The planning can be a bit of a mission! It is difficult trying to think of something fun each day without […] - [The Mum Tag 2019 - Pregnancy and Motherhood](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/the-mum-tag-2019/): This is The Mum Tag 2019! I was tagged by Twice Microwaved Tea to answer some questions about my experience of pregnancy and motherhood / parenthood, so here they are! 1. Favourite mum hack? I have no ‘genius’ mum hacks – I think I need to learn some! My throw-it-all-in interim cleaning box in the toy room I do like, for those times when I just want to see the floor to hoover but haven’t got the time / inclination to go through all the Lego, princesses, superheroes and Playmobil. I also enjoy getting in the kitchen with Little C […] - [15 Indoor Play Ideas for when you're stuck inside](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/15-indoor-play-ideas/): There’s one thing predictable about the weather outside and that is that it’s totally unpredictable! Just as you think we’re in for a few dry days outside, then the heavens open and it rains. With that in mind, it’s always a good plan to have some ideas of what to play / do when you’re stuck inside. It could be rain, it could be chicken pox or a stomach bug. If you’re home-bound, don’t get cabin fever, you and the children can have fun. With a little help from our friends, we’ve come up with a list of indoor play […] - [Don't wrap my child in bubble-wrap! How can we help children learn to manage risk?](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/bubble-wrap/): Are we too overprotective of our children? ‘Don’t wrap my child in bubble-wrap! How can we help children learn to manage risk?’ is a guest post by Adam Smart from SmartKidz Play and Learn Ltd. Smartkidz Play and Learn run breakfast, after school and holiday clubs in four settings in Cambridgeshire. They use a combination of playwork and forest school approach and firmly believe in providing the opportunity for child led play and the opportunity for children to learn how to manage risk. Are we stopping children from learning to risk assess by being overprotective? If you could write down […] - [Review: Disney's High School Musical - PQA Warwick at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/highschoolmusical-pqa-warwick/): Right from the outset, PQA Warwick’s performance of High School Musical brought colour, energy and amazing harmonies. The smallest members of the company (the ‘Poppets’) opened the show with ‘The Wildcat Cheer’ which they gave their all to. The other PQA Warwick cast members soon joined them to perform this stunning opening number, which the audience clearly enjoyed. The energy remained the same throughout the entire performance. There were three energetic performances that took place at the Royal Spa Centre in Leamington Spa. This included PQA (Pauline Quirke Academy) groups from Warwick, Banbury and Stratford-upon-Avon. We were delighted to attend […] - [Welcoming the Community: Kenilworth Fire Station Open Day](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/kenilworth-fire-station-open-day/): This Easter, Kenilworth Fire Station opened its doors to welcome the public along for an Open Day. The fire station open day tied in nicely with the Easter School Holidays and gave a chance for children and their families to step inside and learn about fire safety! Getting the message across Members of the public could learn first-hand about the range of activities involved with being a firefighter. Adults and children could also learn about important fire safety messages. Inside the fire station, visitors were able to see all of the firefighters’ clothes (jackets and helmets) and learn how they […] - [Easter School Holidays 2019: Things to do in Warwickshire](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/warwickshire-easter-2019/): I know what you’re thinking. The term has been a long one and it’s really time that the kids had a break. Luckily the Easter Holidays are just around the corner! You may be wondering what to do with the children whilst they are off school. There are plenty of activities going on in and around Warwickshire. Following our popular February half term guide, we thought we’d bring to you some here ideas of things to do during the 2019 Easter Holidays in Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry and the surrounding areas. Museums and Libraries Easter Activities at Market Hall […] - [It's Bedtime! Tips and tricks to get your child to sleep at night.](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/bedtime/): There’s always one piece of recurring advice that people always offer to expectant parents. That is, ‘enjoy your sleep whilst you can’. Parents always joyfully tell anyone without children that ‘you don’t know what tired is’. It’s true. You don’t know what tired is until you find yourself on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! As a parent of a young child, I can definitely vouch for both these viewpoints, as can you reading this no doubt! So, what are the tips and tricks to get your child to sleep at night? Once your child is in […] - [The Fussy Eaters Club: Get Your Kids to Eat Anything by Emily Leary](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/fussy-eaters-get-your-kids-to-eat-anything/): It’s a situation that’s repeated on a daily basis in many a household. You’ve lovingly prepared your child a nice nutritious dinner and it goes down like a lead balloon. It’s even worse when it happens with foods that you know your child likes. If only you could just wave a magic wand and just get your fussy eaters to eat the food you provide? There may not be a magic wand, but writer and blogger Emily Leary DOES have a plan and she intends to use it to help change the mindset of our picky little pumpkins! She’s created […] - [Tell Me a Story! 10 Recommended Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers.](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/10-books-for-toddlers-and-preschoolers/): World Book Day creeps up on us every single year. Now that our daughter is growing older, we’re becoming more aware that it’s not just a fancy dress competition (although dressing up is fun!), but a true celebration of books and reading. With that in mind, we wanted to write about 10 recommended books for toddlers and preschoolers that can be enjoyed on World Book Day and beyond. What will you read with your little ones next? Reading with children has many benefits. It is the first step into helping them read for themselves, sparks imagination, entertains, relaxes and helps […] - [Let's Bake Fairy Cakes! Baking with Babahoot Children's Personalised Aprons](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/babahoot/): One of a parents greatest pleasures has surely got to be baking with children! I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the greatest baker in the world. However, having fun and spending time together in the kitchen making a mess and producing wonderful creations is definitely the bees knees! What better way to make sure that your little one is ready for some kitchen action than wearing their very own personalised children’s apron! All the gear (and all the ideas) As soon as I suggest baking together to Little C, she is always keen to ensure we have everything […] - [Getting in the Comfy Zone: Review - Pyjamas from The Pyjama Factory (www.pyjamas.com)](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/the-pyjama-factory/): We were lucky enough to try out some pyjamas from The Pyjama Factory (www.pyjamas.com) recently which made us very excited! There’s two things that are guaranteed to make you smile at the end of another busy day. Finally managing to get your child into their pyjamas and also that moment where you get to change into your own pyjamas too. It means it’s almost time to rest for the whole family and you can get all warm and snuggly too. What’s available at The Pyjama Factory? The Pyjama Factory offer something for everyone and the website caters for both Women, […] - [Wonderful Warwickshire - February 2019 Half Term Ideas for Warwick, Leamington, Stratford, Coventry and the Surrounding Areas](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/warwickshire-february-2019-half-term/): The kids haven’t long been back for the new year but the February half term is on its way and you may be wondering what to do with the children whilst they are off school. There are plenty of activities going on in and around Warwickshire. Here are some ideas of what you can do during the February 2019 Half Term in Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry and the surrounding areas.  Museums and Libraries Warwick Bears in the Wild: Relaxed Opening at Warwickshire Museum, Market Hall Museum, Warwick – Monday 18th February 2019 @ 2 p.m – Discover the bear activities and […] - [The Top 7 Tag - Reflecting on 2018 and Looking Ahead to 2019](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/the-top-7-tag-2019/): Thank you to Emily, blogger at Twin Mummy and Daddy, for tagging me in ‘The Top 7 Tag 2019’. The Top 7 Tag blogger challenge was first set by One Frazzled Mum to reflect on the year just gone and look ahead to what the current new year has in store. The post includes: My 7 favourite blog posts from 2018 7 things I loved most about 2018 7 things I am looking forward to in 2019 My 7 favourite blog posts from 2018 See you later, soother! The one where we gave up dummies There’s no mistaking that the use […] - [Soft Play at Dinky's Play Cafe, Leamington Spa](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/dinkys-play-cafe-leamington/): There’s a time and a place for soft play, and quite often it is an absolute blessing to have one at hand when you have a child. Kids always seem to have boundless amounts of energy and it can be difficult to wear them out sometimes! In Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, there’s a rather funky new soft play venue on the block. It’s name? Dinky’s Play Cafe. How did it come about? Dinky’s Play Cafe is a family run business started by three sisters from Leamington. They have refurbished a former catering equipment shop in Bath Street and created a space […] - [First Day of Pre-School: A Mixture of Emotions](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/first-day-of-pre-school/): One minute you’ve got yourself a tiny baby and in the blink of the eye they have turned 3 years old. Then, in the term after their 3rd birthday, you may well be sending them to pre-school. Your little baby has now grown older and is ready for more! Little C, who seems to not be so little these days, started pre-school last week and even though she was more than ready, I have taken a little longer getting used to it. So how do we as parents prepare ourselves and your child for the transition to starting pre-school? Talk […] - [Preparing for School: Making Things Easy with My Nametags](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/school-my-nametags/): The beginning of this school term has marked a big change in our household. Our little baby girl has finally joined pre-school! She’s not a stranger to nursery (she went whilst I briefly returned to an office based job part-time), but she hasn’t been for a while now since moving house. She’s more than ready for some pre-school action now! We have been busy preparing for (pre) school and one thing that has been imperative is making sure all of her clothes and belongings have name labels! Step Forward, My Nametags One of the things I remember from my childhood in […] - [Competition: Win Tickets to Norden Farm's Christmas Show 'The Fir Tree'](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/win-the-fir-tree-tickets/): There are many Christmas traditions and one of the common favourites is taking children to see a show! Norden Farm in Maidenhead, Berkshire, put on wonderful productions each year, especially over the Festive Period. We saw ‘Miki’ last year (see here for our review) which was simply magical and perfect for our toddler daughter. They have delivered family friendly goodness once again with this year’s production of ‘The Fir Tree’. Happy Family Hub are excited to be running a competition for you to win tickets to take your family to see the show this Christmas! What is the show all […] - [Review: A letter from Santa - Lapland Letters](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/santa-lapland-letters/): The build-up to Christmas with a child is simply magical. Instead of just enjoying Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, it seems that once Halloween is over, the festive season has begun! One way of enhancing the excitement is for your child to receive a personalised letter from the big man himself – Father Christmas (or Santa Claus as he is also known!) We were lucky enough to receive a letter from Santa via the elves at Lapland Letters.Lapland Letters provide personalised letters from Santa (or Father Christmas if you’d prefer). Ordering our letter As usual, I’d missed the date for the […] - [Concertini: Live Music for Little People](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/concertini-live-music-children/): On Mother’s Day this year, I was treated to attending a concert with a difference. My fiance took my daughter and I along to a Mother’s Day ‘Concertini‘, which was a family-friendly concert of ‘proper’ live music, suitable for little ones and their grown-ups. This was delivered by West End Stars Mairi Cowieson and Adam Linstead. We enjoyed the Concertini immensely and were treated to beautiful renditions of all sorts of musical hits. It was a delight to share our love of music with our daughter who was equally delighted with the musical masterpiece! Curious to find out more, Happy […] - [No thanks, Norovirus! Surviving the Winter Vomiting Bug Battle.](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/winter-vomiting-bug/): If you’re reading this, chances are you or your child may have been an unlucky victim of a dreaded stomach bug at some stage of your life. It may have even happened multiple times. The Winter Vomiting Bug, also known as Norovirus in adults and Rotavirus in children, can strike at any time of year but is at its most common during the milder winter months. It’s also particularly unpleasant (we’ve been there, and it wasn’t pretty.) What are the symptoms? This evil bug is characterised by nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea (often watery). You may also feel a […] - [Running for their lives - Alder Hey Children's Charity](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/alder-hey-running/): One of the most fun and rewarding ways to raise money for charity is to take part in a running event. Now, Alder Hey Children’s Charity wants to help runners get even more from their race. They’ve launched the Alder Hey Running Hub to provide help and advice to runners of any age or ability. Because running a Marathon, or even your first 5k, can help to boost a person’s health and self-esteem, but could also allow them to do something extraordinary for those who need it most. Childhood should be filled with happiness, laughter and fun. Unfortunately, for some children, this time […] - [Toilet Training in Toddlers: Don't Let it Drive You Potty!](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/potty-training/): It’s been a busy few months in the Happy Family Hub household. As well as the big house move, we have also finally mastered potty training our toddler. Parenting is strange, in that at every stage you think “this is the hardest part of parenting”, and then wham bam like a sledgehammer along comes potty training. I would say that potty training is a huge parenting milestone, and one that comes with its frustrations and a LOT of mess. It’s also a cruel twist of fate that potty training is served with a side helping of toddler tantrums! However, when […] - [Fun and Spooky Paper Plate Craft Idea!](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/spooky-paper-plate-craft/): This is a guest post by Mrs Mactivity who make creative printable learning resources for parents and teachers (aimed at children!). Halloween is such a fun and creative time of year! It marks the definite end of summer and start of the winter season, which of course means Christmas is well on its way! Halloween to a lot of children means an evening of dressing up, and the giving and receiving of sweets and treats. In a way you can’t blame them for getting super excited! It’s a good opportunity to also engage children in more creative activities to help […] - [Hopster TV App: Safe & Smart Screen Time for Pre-school Children](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/hopster-tv/): Love it or loathe it, screen time has quite a role to play in our children’s lives in this digital age. How many times have we heard our parents say ‘back in our day…’ and not realise that we have now turned into the same parents who utter the same phrase? Well, back in our day, we didn’t have tablets, computers and smartphones. We had about 1 hour a day of children’s television and the closest thing I had to a screen was a Speak and Spell (which incidentally was a fantastic toy!) Sensible screen time Used sensibly, (there are […] - [Making Time for Number One: Self-Care for Busy Parents](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/self-care/): Remember the time before children? You had time to prepare a healthy meal (at whatever time suits you), went to the gym and exercised, had a leisurely evening out with your partner and/or friends, took a nice long bath and then curled up with a book before a nice uninterrupted night’s sleep.  Well, those days are now gone, my friend. Now that you’re a parent, priorities have changed. From working parents to families with newborns, and all in between, timescales are dictated by whatever needs your child has. Of course, we absolutely wouldn’t change that for the world (not an […] - [Warwick Words: Bookstart Party](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/bookstart-party/): Warwick Words History Festival takes place each year, and as part of this year’s varied programme, the festival held an event specifically for 0-5 year olds and their carers. Warwick Library hosted a special themed Bookstart Party for the youngest of local residents, featuring an appearance by the one and only Bookstart Bear. What is Bookstart? Bookstart is an initiative from Booktrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. Each year they reach 3.5 million children across the UK with books, resources and support to help develop a love of reading. Bookstart gives free books to every child in England and Wales, […] - [5 Fabulous Things to do with Conkers](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/conkers/): October is here, which means the Autumn has arrived. The leaves are changing through beautiful colour schemes and nature’s playground is providing us with many different craft materials for Autumn and Winter. Leaves, sticks, pine cones and of course conkers (a.k.a horse chestnuts) are just some examples of this! We’ve put together a list of 5 fabulous things to do with conkers. Collecting and playing conkers Conkers are great to collect, and we often have fun wandering about with our bucket seeing how many we can find to take home and play with. It is said by many people, including […] - [Why parents of small children deserve that 9 p.m glass of wine](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/parents-deserve-wine/): Picture this. It’s 9 p.m. You’ve sat down for what seems like the first time today. Wouldn’t it be nice to crack open the bottle of wine and enjoy a nice glass? Being a parent, gone are the days of going to the pub and drinking all evening (drinking TOO much is not healthy for you anyway). I’m not talking every day (it is always recommended to stick to drinking guidelines), but as the occasional treat sometimes all you want is just a nice glass or 2 to hit the spot. Parenting is a full-time job As parents of a […] - [Back to School giveaway: Win a Mrs Mactivity subscription!](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/back-to-school-win-mrs-mactivity/): September is almost coming to an end and the new school term is no longer new. We hope your child(ren) have settled in well and are enjoying the new challenges and adventures that education provide. Whether your child attends a school, or is home-educated, there is a website called Mrs Mactivity which is perfect for young minds. What is Mrs Mactivity? Mrs Mactivity is a website containing a plethora of activities to do at home. It is the brainchild of ex teacher Mary. Her passion? Educating children and making it fun to do so! She’s now been joined by a team of current […] - [Our new home (aka tips for moving house with a toddler)](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/moving-house/): The blog has been quiet for the last few weeks, and there’s a good reason for this – it’s because we’ve finally moved house! We’ve recently moved to Warwickshire into our new family home. We wanted to settle in a new area for a number of reasons, the main ones being a great place to bring up a family, an area with lots of good schooling and also be located equally between our two families. After almost 3 years of searching (Little C’s lifetime), we ended up choosing to live in Warwick. The whole house move process can be a […] - [Dormy House Toddler Group: The magic of children visiting care homes](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/toddlers-old-people/): Dormy House Care Home in Sunningdale is transforming the care of its residents in a very special way. Every week, the care home opens its doors to a number of young children for their popular toddler group. Mutually benefical interaction We first came across the idea of toddler groups in old people’s homes after seeing the popular Channel 4 documentary ‘Old People’s Home for 4 year olds’. In this programme,  young people and old connected for play and socialisation. The connection is great from a social aspect, gives them something to look forward to and toddler interaction is also said […] - [10 Super Scrumptious Smoothie Recipes](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/smoothies/): Smoothies are fast becoming a favourite in our house. They’re tasty and nutritious, and you can use most fruit and vegetables in them. They can be enjoyed by all members of the family and are fun to create. They are also good for keeping cool in the heat! We were lucky enough to be given a smoothie maker (the Nutribullet Magic Bullet blender) recently by a dear friend and haven’t stopped using it since. Little C has been fascinated by making smoothies ever since she saw TV’s favourite chef (Shane the Chef of course!) make a delicious berry concoction. So, […] - [Summer Holidays 2018 - a what's on guide for Bracknell & the surrounding areas](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/summer-holidays-2018/): So that’s it! School’s out for summer. The summer holidays have arrived for 6 (or thereabouts) glorious weeks and you may be wondering what to do with the kids whilst they are off school. Here’s our What’s On Guide! There are plenty of activities going on in and around Bracknell. Here are our favourites: Out & About Bracknell’s Summer of Fun, Bracknell – These fun days are organised by Bracknell Town Council and include inflatables, circus skills, crazy golf, kick-about and much more. These take place on the following dates and locations in Bracknell Forest: Fri 27th July – Warfield […] - [Whizzing around on the Micro Trike: a buggy alternative](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/micro-trike/): Hooray for the Micro Trike! Toddlers can be fiercely independent. Picture the scene – your toddler refuses point blank to go in the buggy as they want to walk themselves. You’ve given up trying to wrestle them in against their will and are actually glad to not have to push around the bulky buggy. They start off walking just fine (by ‘fine’, I mean running at top speed in the opposite direction you need to go but at least going on their own two feet!). Infact, you also have hands free to get the shopping done. Perfect. But then comes […] - [Beat the heat: 10 ways to keep the kids cool in the heatwave](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/heatwave/): Would you believe it? It’s the summer and we’re right in the middle of a heatwave. A heatwave that seems to have lasted forever! The main risks posed by a heatwave according to the NHS are dehydration, overheating and heat exhaustion / heatstroke. So what are the best ways to (literally) chill out and avoid feeling uncomfortable or getting ill? Happy Family Hub and some other parents have come up with 10 ways in which you can beat the heat and also help the kids to stay cool. 1. Keep bedrooms cool This is a simple yet essential idea to […] - [The Magic of Liverpool FC - Personalised Children's Book Review](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/lfc/): Personalised children’s books have been around for years. I remember having one as a child. I always thought it was so much fun that I was the star character. Personalised books can encourage children’s personal development as the child feels like they are part of the story.  In turn, the child contributes more in terms of speech and interaction. Better interaction leads to more reading, more fun and more learning. The Magic of Liverpool FC We recently had the opportunity to try out a new personalised children’s book called ‘The Magic of Liverpool FC’, which is part of the ‘My […] - [See you later, soother! The one where we gave up dummies.](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/dummies/): There’s no mistaking that the use of dummies, pacifiers or soothers (or whatever you’d like to call them) causes a lot of debate. Some people like to use them with their children and some don’t, it’s a parent’s prerogative to decide what’s best for their child after all. If you do end up using them, then the time will eventually come for ditching the dummy! We began using a dummy with our little one in early babyhood when we were new parents. Babies naturally like to suck and this was a great comfort to her. With advice that dummies can […] - [Totally Unicorns Magazine Review & Giveaway](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/totally-unicorns/): Unicorns are one of the key trends out there for little ones. Our daughter is a bit of a fan of unicorns, so we were very pleased to have the chance to review a new magazine totally, which, for the first issue, is dedicated to the mythical (yet very cute) creatures. Totally is a new magazine from Kennedy Publishing which is aimed at young girls and features a different theme each month. The themes are tailored toward the current trend of the moment. First impressions of Totally Unicorns Both myself and my daughter opened the package and were immediately delighted […] - [Working Parents: Tips for 'Doing it All'](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/working-parents/): Working parents doing it all. Or trying to. It’s often said that working parents juggle many balls at any one time and that’s right. Raising a child and maintaining a professional career at the same time can be a challenge for even the most resilient of us. So how can we make things easier? If I had a pound for every time anyone ever said ‘there’s not enough hours in the day’, then I would be a millionaire. However, as much as we’d all like that gift of extra time, I don’t somehow think it’s a physical possibility! My Story […] - [Review: Children are Stinky at Norden Farm](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/childrenarestinky/): We were lucky enough to be invited along to see ‘Children are Stinky’ at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead. The show is produced by Circus Trick Tease, a circus and acrobatic theatrical company from Australia. They made their debut at Melbourne Fringe back in 2008, and after successful circus shows world-wide, they have now turned their focus towards children’s theatre. Their show, Children are Stinky, has won many accolades including the Children’s Choice Award at the Edinburgh Fringe. Children are Stinky is one of the many shows that Norden Farm are offering as part of their school […] - [Celebrating Local Radio Day with Eagle Radio](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/localradioday/): To celebrate Local Radio Day, we were lucky enough to take part in a tour of the Eagle Radio studios based in Guildford, Surrey. What does radio mean to me? Radio has always been a HUGE part of my life. I have been listening to radio since I was tiny and have done daily for many hours since. A couple of years back, I took part in a community radio course at Eagle which resulted in presenting on a community radio show. I then was a radio presenter at Insanity Radio, Hospital Radio Reading and also did some voiceover work […] - [May Half Term 2018 What's on Guide - Bracknell & surrounding areas](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/mayhalfterm/): The late May bank holiday and half term is on it’s way and you may be wondering what to do with the kids whilst they are off school. There are plenty of activities going on in and around Bracknell. Here are our favourites: Festivals Bracknell Ale & Cider Festival, Bracknell Rugby Football Club, Lily Hill Park – Sunday 27th May 2018 12pm-10pm. This child-friendly event is a delight every year. There are lots of different ales, ciders and wines to try for the adults, and of course soft drinks are in a plentiful supply too. There will be live music […] - [It's a nice day for a Royal Wedding](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/royalwedding/): It’s May 2018 and the excitement is building for the big day. Royal wedding day. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially tie the knot on Saturday 19th May 2018 at Windsor Castle in Berkshire. We were interested in finding out more about what people thought and how they’re celebrating. We have also found some great craft ideas and suggestions of places to go where you can see the wedding in style! A right royal love story Love them or loathe them, I find there’s always something quite refreshing about the Royal Family. Despite their huge status in our society and […] - [10 places to spot bluebells in and around Berkshire](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/bluebells/): Springtime is finally here. The weather may need to buckle up it’s ideas every now and then, but if you take a look outside there are so many signs that spring is here and summer will be just around the corner before you know it. The daffodils have gone, but the bluebells have now appeared. They are usually with us between late April and early May, and every single year we wonder where the best places are to spot bluebells. Here at Happy Family Hub, we thought we’d share 10 places in and around Berkshire (or just over our border) […] ## Pages - [Popmaster Quiz Questions 24 July 2020](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/popmaster-quiz-questions-24-july-2020/): These are the questions I was asked during the Popmaster quiz on BBC Radio 2 on the 24th July 2020. What would you score?Popmaster Quiz Questions 24th July 2020What 2001 number one by Geri Halliwell was a cover of an 80’s song by The Weather Girls? (3 points)What is the name of the guitarist with Genesis who formed the band Mike and the Mechanics? (3 points)In which year did this week’s top 3 have “The Roussos Phenomenon” by Demi Roussos at number 3, “A Little Bit More” by Dr Hook at number 2 and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by […] - [About me](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/aboutme/): The face behind the parenting blog Hi, I’m Emma – and here’s a bit more about me. I am a forty something first time mum living in Warwickshire with my daughter and fiance. There’s nothing I like more than having a happy, healthy, family life and making the most out of it. This is exactly what Happy Family Hub is about!Why Happy Family Hub?This is why I decided to call the blog ‘Happy Family Hub’. I set up the blog as a way of expressing my creativity, to share our adventures as a family and also to talk with others […] - [Work with me](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/workwithme/): You can work with me in a number of ways. To discuss your individual requirements, please contact me on emma@happyfamilyhub.co.uk to see how I can help you. Blog/Social Media Collaborations Product Reviews Competitions Sponsored Posts Social Media Management Strategy Platform Setup Platform Management (Posting, Campaigns, Analytics) Training Administration Website Testing Personal Administration Typing & Data Entry - [Contact Me](https://happyfamilyhub.co.uk/contact/): To contact me, get in touch using the contact details below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.  I look forward to hearing from you! Emma Email Facebook Twitter Instagram ## Optional - [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/happyfamilyhub.co.uk/mcp) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)