Strawberry Ice Cream Milkshake

We love strawberries and are always trying to think up new and different strawberry recipes. This super simple strawberry milkshake recipe is so easy, it's a lovely one to get children involved with. It's brilliant fun and perfect for cooling down during the summer months. The taste and texture is very reminiscent of the milkshakes you get in a certain fast food restaurant, but contains real fresh fruit, for extra health benefits. If you don't have strawberries, you could try substituting another fruit, such as raspberries or bananas. As with a lot of my recipes, the amounts aren't set in stone and can be adjusted to taste without completely ruining it. All you need is....

Blog Camp, for Bloggers and Wombles with Tots 100

Today I did something I've never done before. No, not naked Morris Dancing. I went to Blog Camp. There are a lot of different blog conferences that go on in different parts of the country and I never go, because it always costs a bit, or is too far away. So, when I heard there was one in Bristol, I felt it would be rude not to pop along and see everyone. It's always interesting to hear from other bloggers about what works for them and how they got better at their particular area of blogging. The event was hosted by Tots100 and the most interesting talk was on Freelance Writing, I had no idea how many different ways there were to earn money from words!

Travelling 'Abroad' with Wightlink Ferries

I love being a blogger. I love writing, which is why I started blogging, but also, sometimes epic things happen. Like, when I was recently asked if I would like to review a holiday park on the Isle of Wight. Brilliant, I thought! Then I hit a snag. It was pretty short notice and I needed a ferry crossing. A cheap one! Along came the lovely people at Wightlink who offered us a free crossing, if we promised to let you know how we got on. So, here is our review of the Wightlink Ferry Portsmouth to Ryde crossing, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Attracting, and Keeping, Garden Birds

We decided a long time ago not to keep pets in the house. This is partly financial, and partly down to the level of commitment required. We have always quite liked the fact that we can go out for the day, or even the weekend, at short notice, without having to worry about who's going to take care of the furry offspring. It is still possible for children to observe and learn about animal behaviour, though, by encouraging wildlife into the garden. It helps animals find food and a safe place to be, and encourages children to be considerate to their environment. Here's how we brought birds and frogs to our garden. 

Camping. Great Entertainment on a Small Budget.

I have always taken my children on standard 'holiday camp' type holidays, where you stay in a static caravan or a little chalet and there is lots available on site, such as a swimming pool, restaurants, entertainment, etc. In recent years though, this option has become more and more expensive. Sometimes even more expensive than travelling abroad! This year we went on a traditional camping holiday, kindly supplied by  Roebeck Country Park for us to review. We were all really surprised by how positively it compared to our previous holiday choices and I wanted to write about this aspect as I would never have realised how enjoyable it would be and how little we would miss the holiday camp environment.

Find your Inner Freak: Why it is Important to be Who You Want to Be.

Another guest post from my friend Rebecca, who is doing a great job of looking after things while I'm on hols!

This is the advice I wish I had been given when in my twenties.

You leave school, you get a job if you can, you earn some dosh and you try and work out what you are going to be when you grow up. Then you realise ten years have gone and you are still trying to work out which direction you are heading so you panic a bit and stress out when you look round at others whom you consider have ‘done something with their life’.

This is why that is all pointless. The secret is that you have already made it. Success is relevant only to who you are. Therefore you should forget trying to be what you think success is based on others and look into yourself. Give yourself a break.

Find Me Face Down on the Floor Behind the Sofa. A Narcoleptic’s Tale.

Our 'hidden illness' series continues with an amazingly insightful and frank post from my fabulous friend Rebecca on Narcolepsy.

If you ask somebody who is ill what the worst thing is about an illness, you will find pain is probably at the top. Followed closely by lethargy or exhaustion. So we know tiredness is awful yet we fail to recognise as a disability. This blog article for The Parent Game is to help you understand the rather odd life cycle of a narcoleptic. Please try and stay awake!