I always have a lot of questions about accommodati I always have a lot of questions about accommodation when we stay anywhere as a family so I thought I’d share this little tour of our room at @windjammerlanding which was a pretty perfect place to stay.

It’s the ‘Ocean View Two Bedroom’ which was like a little house, with an upstairs and downstairs, built into the hillside. Both rooms had outdoor space and their own shower rooms. Such a great option for a family.
A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. We’ve been back a few days now but still miss the heat, the food, the pool, the constant sounds of wildlife and the lovely people. It was such a great holiday and I’m sure we’ll be back one day.
And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is watching her grow and what a wonderful young woman she is becoming. We could not be more proud. Love you Pickle, have a great birthday.
We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in S We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in St Lucia staying at @windjammerlanding and it was just the holiday we needed. Two weeks of sunshine and relaxation in what must be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. 

We can’t wait to go back again in the future. Here’s just a little snippet of our trip.
AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @na AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @national_motor_museum despite the rain! The children loved the Little Beaulieu play area and we loved exploring the National Motor Museum and Top Gear exhibit before having a ride on the monorail! We went on an old open topped bus, explored the Beaulieu Manor House and loved the gardens. 
Beaulieu is always a great day out - whatever the weather. This summer they have a whole ‘Summer of Fun’ planned, with activities most days - parades, bird shows and hundreds of sculptures within the grounds too. If you’re looking for a day out this summer definitely think about heading to Beaulieu.
AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to t AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to their first concert - but it was so much more than just a concert! @abbavoyage is incredible. With CGI ABBA and a live band, it’s like being at an ABBA concert 40 years ago but with modern lighting, effects and sound. ABBA look and sound real, it’s a mind blowing experience.
The set includes all the songs you know and love as well as a few less familiar ones.
You can’t take photos during the show which actually made a refreshing change. A whole arena focused purely on the show and soaking up the moment. It’s definitely something the four of us will always remember.
Now, I’m off to sing Dancing Queen all the way home.
AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdo AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdockyard today. They have a fantastic Ultimate Explorer ticket that lets you visit all the attractions as many times as you like for 12 months - and after a day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard we can see that you need more than one day to really do everything!

We explored HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Exhibition - which is incredible! We also saw where ships are built and restored and spent time in Action Stations where the kids climbed and did an assault course.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is such a fun, educational day out with something for all ages - we can’t wait to go on their harbour tours next time we visit!
AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To cel AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To celebrate #100YearOfARoads National Highways have launched their #ARoadsToSummer competition! It's all about celebrating summer holiday moments, time together, fun in the sun, days out and more.

So why not be in it to win it? To enter, all you have to do is send @nationalhways a DM on here with a photo or video of your favourite holiday moments. You can also comment on their Facebook or Twitter #ARoadsToSummer posts with your holiday photos. I've shared a few of our favourite photos to give you some inspiration.

The best six entries will each win a £500 @nationaltrust holidays voucher! SO what are you waiting for? Dig out your favourite holiday photos or take some new ones to share!

The #ARoadsToSummer competition runs from 24 July to 10 September 2023. Winners will be announced in September 2023.

Good luck!
Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. As school draws to a close at lunchtime, I’m looking forward to a whole summer with them. My favourite people.

They’ve both had a great year at school this year. Troy’s first without his sister by his side and Athena’s first at secondary school. 

They both had great reports, always did their best and have made some really lovely new friends this year. I could not be more proud of them.

Now, let’s go and enjoy the next six weeks before school starts all over again!
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Christmas · October 29, 2018

What does Christmas mean to You? #ChristmasStartsNow | AD

*This is a paid post

Christmas is my absolute favourite time of the year. It’s a time we prepare for from the end of summer, planning Christmas dinner, buying gifts and watching as many festive movies as we can before the big day arrives. This year Mr Kipling asked us to write about exactly what Christmas means to us and really, it’s simple. Christmas is everything.

What does Christmas mean to You? #ChristmasStartsNow

Even back when I was a small child Christmas was the highlight of my year. It was the time when Father Christmas came, bringing me gifts I had been hoping for – marking them in felt tip in the Argos catalogue months before. It was a time when we went to midnight mass on Christmas Eve, when we had a house full of festive treats and when we stuck cloves in oranges at school, making the house have that wonderful spicy scent that will forever remind me of Christmas.

What does Christmas mean to You? #ChristmasStartsNow

As an adult, before having children, I would spend whole days sitting on the floor in front of the TV, watching my favourite festive movies and spending hours wrapping gifts in beautiful bows and ribbon. Wrapping presents was such an occasion and I knew that as soon as I started wrapping that Christmas had begun and I do miss those lovely, long days of watching Love Actually, The Holiday, Christmas on 34th Street and the Muppet Christmas Carol whilst wrapping gifts, eating mince pies and drinking endless cups of tea – or an occasional glass of Baileys.

What does Christmas mean to You? #ChristmasStartsNow

Since becoming a parent the year has gone back to revolving around Christmas. It’s a time we work up to through the year, it’s something we look forward to and something that we really make into an occasion. We have our first mince pies as soon as the children are back at school after the summer holidays and we always look forward to seeing festive sandwiches in the bakers and festive hot drinks in coffee shops. For me, a turkey, cranberry and stuffing sandwich, black forest hot chocolate and a mince pie are the flavour of Christmas – and once I have ticked those three boxes I know we’re full steam ahead to Christmas.

Research conducted by Mr Kipling has shown that 10% of people share my view – that the first mince pie signifies the true start of Christmas. Although I’m sure I’m not alone in being able to happily eat mince pies all year round – they really aren’t just for Christmas as far as I’m concerned. But, 30% of people did say that a mince pie was favourite Christmas sweet treat – people after my own heart. Mr Kipling Deep Filled Mince Pies are always our first choice and although they are new and improved this year with a great new recipe they have been awarded the Good Housekeeping ‘Taste Approved’ logo and taste even better than ever before – as hard as that may be to believe.

What does Christmas mean to You? #ChristmasStartsNow

Another huge marker when it comes to the countdown to Christmas is seeing our first Christmas advert on the TV – and this signifies the start of Christmas for 30% of the people surveyed. I love seeing all the big department stores, supermarkets and food and drink brands bring out festive adverts and trying to spot them during our evenings of TV watching. They really a big part of a modern day Christmas.

What does Christmas mean to You? #ChristmasStartsNow

Once Christmas season has started we love to cram in time with as many family and friends as possible – and it seems that 60% of the country are just the same. We organise meals together, a chance to catch up and a chance to toast Christmas with those closest to us.

The rest of the time we spend together, as a family. We play festive games, watch even more festive movies and eat countless mince pies. I’m actually amazed that 23% of the British public hold off eating them until December! The children love having time at home, snuggling in blankets, candles lit and just enjoy each other’s company.

What does Christmas mean to You? #ChristmasStartsNow

A highlight of Christmas for the children is always decorating the tree. It goes up as close to the start of December as possible and we make a real event out of it. The children put the baubles on the tree, one by one, whilst we listen to Christmas music. Afterwards we watch a Christmas movie in our pyjamas and have hot chocolate and treats. It’s one of my favourite days of the year – aside from Christmas Day, of course.

What does Christmas mean to You? #ChristmasStartsNow

So for us, Christmas has already started. I have been buying gifts, watching Christmas movies and eating mince pies for a couple of weeks – and am looking forward to more of the same all the way through until Christmas.

What does Christmas mean to You? #ChristmasStartsNow

So, what signifies the start of Christmas for you? Is it the Christmas shopping, the Christmas TV adverts, the TV shows that count their way down to Christmas, the first Christmas song on the radio or that very first mince pie?

What does Christmas mean to You? #ChristmasStartsNow

In: Christmas

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Comments

  1. Eilidh says

    October 29, 2018 at 7:56 am

    I’ve already had a couple of mince pies. As soon as they hit the shops I start getting excited for Christmas!

    Reply

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Hi everyone! I'm Donna. Mummy. Blogger. Social Media Manager. Traveller. Lover of stars, rainbows and gin. Firm believer that tea and cake can fix most things.

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