Monday 29 February 2016

Our Weekly Meal Plan!! - #mealplanningmonday


Last weeks meal plan nearly went to plan....Wednesday was one of those days where I fancied something really filling and warming so the pork & apple sausages were moved to Thursday and we had pie, mash & peas....The soup was scrapped but it would have only been out of a tin so it's no big loss....We ate everything else.

Becky had her fortnightly cookery lesson on Friday and brought home a chicken stir fry she had made herself...It smelt amazing but I didn't get a taste...She had eaten it before I could ask....lol It's another meal she thinks she could make again herself so I am pleased with that....She is turning into quite the cook! On Saturday night she didn't want burgers so she made herself a hot dog pizza....Not from scratch but she put it in the oven and knew when it was ready....I was quite jealous. It looked amazing. My little girl is growing up too fast!


This week on the Menu we have:

Monday - Chicken pasta bake....
Tuesday - Gammon, chips and peas....
Wednesday - Sweet & sour pork noodles....
Thursday - Jacket potatoes with beans and cheese....
Friday - Muffin pizzas....
Saturday - Sushi. The kids have been asking for it again and they loved it last time....I will buy it ready made from Tesco.
Sunday - It's Mothers day. I'm not cooking so who knows....I may even treat myself to an Indian takeaway.

As always I've joined in with the wonderful Mrs M's #mealplanningmonday linky....

Sunday 28 February 2016

Sometimes I surprise myself - #MySundayPhoto

I am not the best at taking photographs....I don't have a fancy camera. I just use my phone but sometimes I surprise myself and actually take a nice photo when I am least expecting it. This was one of those times.


OneDad3Girls

Saturday 27 February 2016

A photo everyday for a year! #Project366 - Week 8.

How is it nearly March? This year is flying over. I wish time would just slow down just a little....This week we Ellie my youngest has been poorly but looking back at the photos it was an OK week....


51/366 20th February.
All dressed up for her friends party....I don't like the fact she's looking so grown up.

52/366 21st February.
Lazy Sunday.

53/366 22nd February.
Before the half term holidays Ellie was in a gymnastics competition and unbeknown to me also earned herself a certificate for being the learner of the week....I am so proud.

54/366 23rd February.
I was sent a Boxcitement Subscription Box to review....This was it!

55/366 24th February.
A jellybean overload....I won these in a giveaway and I have had to move them away from where I sit because I was going through them far too fast....The gourmet ones are amazing!

56/366 25th February.
Another prize arrived....A bird box that I won on Twitter. I seem to be having a run of luck at the moment....

57/366 26th February.
Becky made chicken stir fry at school....It smelt amazing but she ate it before I even had chance to ask for a taste.

TheBoyandMe's 366 Linky

Friday 26 February 2016

I'm sick of this week - WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:


We have had a right week...I say we, I mean Ellie....She has not had a good week at all...

On Saturday we went to my friends daughters birthday party....The music was loud. Not unbearable but probably too loud for Ellie....She never complained once and had a great time but we had came home and had tea and watched a bit of TV.....By about half nine Ellie was complaining of earache....Considering she is deaf in one ear she's never had earache before....The pain was in her good ear which was a massive worry....I felt so bad. I know sometimes she covers her ears when there is loud noises....She was crying, sobbing in pain and burning up....She had some Calpol which seemed to help and she perked up....

On Sunday she was back to her normal self but it really frightened me....I have been in touch with the hearing lady and she is going to get us an appointment for a hearing test....I am probably being over protective but she only has hearing in one ear and Ellie is such a trooper so will probably battle on and not say anything even if her ear only hurts a tiny bit....I really don't want anything to happen to her good ear....One thing is for sure there will be no more discos for her for a while....

On Tuesday Ellie was in bed and started screaming....She had been sick....She was burning up again....She decided the nitty lotion I had used on her earlier that evening was to blame....I personally think it was related to the trouble she had with her ear on Saturday. She had a day off school on Wednesday and spent most of it on the sofa wrapped in a duvet, watching Cbeebies....She went back to school yesterday and seems fine now.....


There was a funny moment with Becky and her....She had Becky sat on the floor next to her just because she missed her so she says....I think it was so she could look over Becky's shoulder at her tablet....hehehe

Becky hasn't had the perfect week either.....The hook on her braces broke again on Monday and the first appointment they could give us is on Monday coming....Ugh! The waiting times are so bad.....

It has been a pretty rotten week but we all survived and I for one am glad the weekend is nearly hear....We're having a quiet one with no sickness hopefully! Next week we'll start over and hopefully get back into a routine....

The Reading Residence

Thursday 25 February 2016

Boxcitement Subscription Box - Review!

I do love subscription boxes....There is something very exciting about receiving a parcel of surprises. This week I was sent a Boxcitement subscription box to have a look at....


Boxcitement is a UK subscription box for people who love gifts, crafts and stationery....Every month they pick a theme that they think you will love, design items associated with the theme, produce them, box them up in letterbox friendly boxes and send them....

It was obvious what it was when it came through my letter box and I couldn't get into it quick enough. It was presented really well....


This months theme was "Guess who's coming to dinner"....When I first opened the box and saw the theme I felt a bit meh about it....I don't really host dinner parties but after having a look at everything included I loved it....It actually makes me want to host a dinner party...



There were so many cute and pretty things, useful things and there was also chocolate....hehehe

In the box I received:

Four metallic, silver letterpress invitations which are just gorgeous. I probably won't get much use of the invitations but I will use the envelopes for sure.
A Dinner Party Planner to help plan the perfect evening - It had some fantastic tips in....Even though I don't host dinner parties it was interesting to find out about what wine goes with what food and the party games mentioned are games I would have never of thought of.
Four Scented Tea Light Candles which are so, so pretty and smell lovely.
Contrasting Grosgrain Ribbon.
A personalised chocolate box of after dinner mints which I thought was a very sweet idea....
A personalised morning-after recovery kit which I loved....It included cherry lip balm, pain relieving gel, toning eye gel and some ear plugs....
A craft kit which includes all you need to make a pretty glass and wire bracelet....



Everything is tasteful and is really well thought out...You could see a lot of thought had gone into the box....Not just a load of random things picked and sent out....The personalised items were such a lovely touch. It made it feel like it was personally made for me.....

There are a number of ways to enjoy Boxcitement gift boxes...On-going subscriptions, fixed term commitments, one off purchases. The longer you sign up for the more discount you get!

A one off Boxcitement box costs £20 and a monthly subscription costs £18....Payment is taken on the first day of the month and the boxes are sent out on the 22nd of every month....Postage and packing is included in the price (UK only), so there is nothing more to pay over and above the advertised price for the subscription box. 

A Boxcitement Subscription Box would make a great gift or a lovely treat for yourself....I was very happy to receive it and it definitely made me smile.....
Post Comment LoveFamily Fever

I was sent a Boxcitement Subscription Box in exchange for this post....All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Tuesday 23 February 2016

My Mothers Day Wishlist...

Mothers Day is in a few weeks....A day for me to get spoiled....Stu's mam is no longer with us and my mother is no longer in my life...So Mothering Sunday is all about me!! Hooray! I would be happy with just cards from my girls but Stu always likes to let them buy gifts too.....I am not going to complain....hehehe I am going to drop a few hints starting with this blog post....




Mummy Peppa Pig Pyjamas - £14.00 - Asda
Mother's Day Petite Basket - £26.99 - Interflora
Reserved For Mum Slogan Cushion - £15.00 - M&S
My Favourite People Call Me Mum Tote Bag - £9.99 - Funky Pigeon


Mother's Day Wine Glass - £1.00 - Poundland
Thanks Mum - £15.95 - Lush
Baylis & Harding Signature Collection Assorted 6 Candle Set - £15.00 - Debenhams
Dear Mum - From You to Me Book - £13.00 - Journals of a Lifetime
Saucepans recipe book - £10.00 - Paperchase
The Mother's Day Sleekster - £22.00 - Hotel Chocolat
Butterfly Print Scarf - £6.00 - Asda
I love u mum biscuit card - £9.00 - Biscuiteers


Pink Peony And Rose Bottle - £10.00 - Next
Personalised Prosecco With Small Heart Gift Set - £30.00 - Moonpig
Little Little Book of Earrings - £16.99 - Tesco
Choc on Choc Chocolate Handbag - £8.97 - Lakeland

Is there anything you fancy? 
What will you be getting your mother on Mothers Day?

Monday 22 February 2016

Our Weekly Meal Plan!! - #mealplanningmonday


Last weeks meal plan didn't all go to plan but I didn't expect it to with the kids being off school for half term....We ate 5 out of the 7 meals I planned so it's not too bad....

On Tuesday while wandering around Iceland I saw the Baked bean potato pockets....I needed to eat them so we ended up having those and a sausage and egg muffin...



On Saturday we went to a birthday party and after that I did not feel like cooking...We were going to order from Domino's but thought better of it and got a Chinese....It was so good. The pizza wraps have been moved to today as I am hoping to get an appointment for Becky to have her braces fixed. The hook which holds her band on has broken off again so we will need something quick....

This week on the Menu we have:

Monday - Pizza wraps....
Tuesday - Tuna & tomato pasta....
Wednesday - Pork and apple sausages and wedges....
Thursday - Soup of some sort....
Friday - BBQ Mini Chicken Griddlers & rice....
Saturday - Burgers in buns....
Sunday - Roast chicken dinner....

As always I've joined in with the wonderful Mrs M's #mealplanningmonday linky....

Sunday 21 February 2016

All dressed up - #MySundayPhoto

We were at Becky's friends 13th birthday party yesterday and I am friends with her mam so we all went....It's very rare that both my girls are dressed up at the same time and actually sitting together nicely....I had to capture that moment....hehehe


OneDad3Girls

Saturday 20 February 2016

A photo everyday for a year! #Project366 - Week 7

Half term is just about over....We had a lovely lazy week. Lots of lie ins, late nights and PJ days....It's going to be so hard getting back into the routine of school next week. Ugh!


44/366 13th February.
I got a lovely bunch of roses as an early Valentines day pressie from Stu...They were gorgeous.

45/366 14th February.
The card I got Stu for Valentines day.....I thought it was hilarious. He did too!

46/366 15th February.
On Monday Ellie and I did some crafts.

47/366 16th February.
Waiting to go into see the dentist....Just their 6th month check up.

48/366 17th February.
Such a pretty sky....Stu thought I was a bit of a loon running outside to take a photo.

49/366 18th February.
My pretty princess.

50/366 19th February.
We went out to buy presents for my friends daughters birthday. The party is today.

TheBoyandMe's 366 Linky

Friday 19 February 2016

We have had a week of Minecraft - #WotW

I asked Becky & Ellie what my Word of the Week should be and they both said at the same time:


They have both played a lot of Minecraft....Probably too much but we've had a week of relaxing and haven't had any plans so I have just let them get on with it....

They've played it with Stu on the computers.....Alone on their tablets, together on the Xbox and even I have played with them....I did take the huff and stop playing when they kept bring Creepers to my house and blowing things up....So childish of me....lol

It has caused some arguments at times and they have both served hour bans here and there due to their bickering but on the whole they have played nicely together....


We have had such a great half term.....Sometimes it is nice just to let the girls do something they really love....Next week they'll be back at school and their Minecraft time will be limited....

In Other News:

We really haven't done much this week....Ellie and I tried out the Koalapak and she had a great time....It is something I would pay for again in the future....

A lot of my favourite TV shows returned...Since Christmas there hasn't been much for Stu & I to watch together now there is too much....hehehe 

Today we are going shopping to get Becky's friend a card and present for her birthday. She's the big 13 and is having a party which we're going to tomorrow....They girls are very excited about this.

The Reading Residence

Thursday 18 February 2016

What I'm loving on TV....

Over the last week or so it seems like there has been so many shows come back onto TV and new one's have started which I'm loving at the moment....

(There is no spoilers)


The Walking Dead....


Obviously....I love this show. It came back after it's Christmas break on Monday and wow! It was brutal! It did leave me with lots of thoughts and questions though....

I didn't expect that person to be shot in the eye or even shot at all....I would have liked to have seen more of that person who was blown up with the rocket launcher.....The bit the bad guy says "Bite, chew, swallow, repeat" I expect to see on t-shirts soon....hehehe. Did the Wolf change? Why was Rick and his gang walking around for so long in the herd of walkers? It had even turned to night. I know Alexandria isn't that big!! Glenn has more lives than a cat....hehehe Abraham is funny. "Can you get the gate please"....lol I liked that people who wouldn't fight before joined in the battle at the end...

I can't wait to watch more next week! From what I have heard it jumps in time to where they are on with rebuilding to town...

The 100....

This underrated TV show returned last night on E4.....It is on it's 3rd series already and it has changed so much from what it was when it started. It introduced new characters and showed me all my favourites were still alive....I can't wait to watch more. It's the type of show where something major seems to happen in every episode....

For two seasons, the refugees of The 100 sent to Earth have been at war. First with themselves, then with the Grounders, and finally with Mount Weather. Many have lost their lives along the way. All have lost their innocence. They have learned the hard way that in the fight for survival, there are no heroes and no villains. There is only the living and the dead. But now the war is over. The battle against Mount Weather has been won. The prisoners have returned home to a world seemingly at peace, but can they find peace within themselves after what they had to do to escape? And is there more to life than just surviving? Unfortunately, their newfound sense of normalcy will be short-lived, and their lives will be changed forever, as threats both old and new test their loyalties, push them past their limits, and make them question what it truly means to be human. First, they fought to survive. Then, they fought for their friends. Now, they will fight for the human race.



The People v. O.J. Simpson....



On BBC2 on Monday night The People v. O.J. Simpson started...It is a 10 part series telling the story of the events around the arrest and trial of OJ Simpson....It is a story I am familiar with and I do like crime dramas. Especially true stories....I imagined it with no really famous actors in. How wrong could I have been. There was Sarah Paulson, Cuba Gooding Jr, David Schwimmer and only blumming John Travolta who I recognised....This episode finished when O.J went off on his police chase in the car....It is very interesting to watch even though I sort of remember it in the news I don't really know all the story....

I have heard Better Call Saul is back for a second series, Googlebox starts on Friday, Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway starts on Saturday and Catfish starts in a couple of weeks....I do love this time of year!

What are you enjoying on TV at the moment?

Wednesday 17 February 2016

Tuesday 16 February 2016

Koalapak Review...

Just before Christmas I won a Koalapak from Coming from Carson's Mummy....We just got around to having a proper look at it yesterday....

Koalapak provides parents with a convenient way to inspire their children to discover and learn new things every month as well as spend quality time together by delivering a pack full of fun, educational, hands-on projects straight to their home...

Koala packs are designed with children ages 3-8 in mind...

Each pack includes an exciting new theme, with 1 to 4 activities plus all the materials required to complete the projects. All the activities are linked to the EYFS framework and the KS1 & 2 National Curriculum....

Our box was themed around birds and had four activities....A mask to make, little birds to decorate, a bird feeder to make and a bird house to decorate....There were instructions included which Ellie had no problem understanding.....They weren't joking when they said all the materials were included to make everything. There was even a glue spatula (I think that's what they're called....Little pots of paint, glue and even bird seed.....I was very impressed. I have had craft kits in the past where they say everything is included but you still have to find extra things yourself....


We had fun colouring in polystyrene birds....We used felt tip pens....There were some provided but Ellie wanted more colours so we used out own....


Ellie made a bird mask....The only help she needed was to put the elastic on....Since yesterday she has worn this a lot....lol She really loves it!


We made a lolly stick bird feeder.....Ellie needed a bit of help with this from me....Just holding the lolly sticks in place while the glue stuck....I think if she had a bit more patience she would have quite easily managed it herself....As I write this Ellie is sat in her bedroom with her bird mask on looking out of the window waiting for the birds to notice it....hehehe


Lastly we decorated a cute little bird house.....There was paint provided which Ellie did use for the front, back and sides but she was desperate to use the glitter paint we have had in the craft box....I let her go wild with it....hehehe


We spent a good couple of hours completing everything in the Koalapak....It would be something I would pay for in the future. It's educational, fun and everything you need is included.

The Koalapak boxes come in different sizes and the price of them is very reasonable....A Mini with one activity- £3.95, Mini plus with two activities - £8.95, Jumbo with three activities - £13.95 and the Mega with four activities - £16,95....

It was a perfect activity to cure the boredom of the school holidays....I know it was only the first day. Heaven help me for the rest of the week.....lol

I was not asked to write this review.....I just thought it would be nice to share what we have been up to.

Monday 15 February 2016

Our Weekly Meal Plan!! - #mealplanningmonday


It's the half term holidays here....Hooray! We don't really have any plans. Well actually the girls do. They are planning to play Minecraft all week but that is not going to happen. lol

Last week we ate everything I planned apart from the Chinese takeaway. The Leftover bolognese mix in Old El Paso Stand And Stuff Tortillas were a huge hit again. The girls are wanting them every week now....lol


This week on the Menu we have:

Tuesday - Sausage rolls, chips and beans!
Wednesday - Meatloaf and new potatoes....
Thursday - Tuna Pasta....
Friday - Fish finger sandwiches....
Saturday - Pizza Wraps....
Sunday - Chicken casserole and mash....

As always I've joined in with the wonderful Mrs M's #mealplanningmonday linky....