Thinly Spread - Parenting From Tots To Teens

Posted by Chris on Dec 5, 2013

Woolly Wonderland for Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day!

I spent a delightful day at Westfield Stratford yesterday in the company of some really lovely bloggers at Save the Children’s Woolly Wonderland. In theory I was there with my work hat on but I slipped it off, swapped it for antlers and joined in the festive fun! Woolly Wonderland is a veritable feast of free activities and workshops all to celebrate and highlight Save the Children’s Christmas...

Posted by Chris on Nov 29, 2013

Meringue Snowmen for Festive Friday!

Jenson Button is returning to his home town this evening to switch on our Christmas lights (a Button on the button makes me grin) and Advent begins on Sunday – I am beyond excited! You can read a little bit about our advent traditions here, and I have one or two surprises up my sleeve for this year, but this week has been all about The Baking. That is just a small selection of my Christmas cookie...

Posted by Chris on Nov 22, 2013

How to Make Tin Can Lanterns for Festive Friday

I love the twinkle and sparkle of Christmas and am a total fairy light addict but there is nothing quite like the soft glow and gentle glimmer of candle light. For this week’s Festive Friday I have been hammering tins again, this time making tin can lanterns to light up the dark Winter nights! I’ve been collecting pull top food cans for some time and may now have a ridiculous number however...

Posted by Chris on Nov 19, 2013

The Roman Baths – Exploring History with Children

Bonus Boy recently had an INSET day when the others did not and we grabbed the opportunity to visit the Roman Baths. Bath is only a 20 minute drive from us and is a regular haunt so it’s a bit shameful that he hadn’t been before when the others had; my children are all fascinated by the past and this bit is right in our back garden! The Roman Baths are set up well for children visiting with a...

Posted by Chris on Nov 15, 2013

5 Homemade Christmas Ornaments for Children to Make – Festive Friday!

This week’s Festive Friday features a guest post by Maggy Woodley of Red Ted Art. I’m delighted to have her here sharing some ideas for Christmas ornaments which children can make. If you have any ideas for crafts, gifts, traditions, decorations or anything else Christmas related do pop it on the Festive Friday linky at the bottom of this lovely post! So lovely to be here today and get a...

Posted by Chris on Nov 4, 2013

Beach Art, Chesil Beach and a Perfect Day

We spend a lot of time on the beach, it calls to us all year round and there will come a point, when our birds have flown, that Mr TS and I give in to that call and move right next to it. In the meantime we go as often as we can and Chesil Beach is just a wind blown stroll away from our marina berth. We’ve taken to asking Mr TS to drop us at the visitor centre car park and then the children and I...

Posted by Chris on Oct 21, 2013

Apple Day – Apple Crafts and Apple Pie

Today is Apple Day! Originated in 1990 by Common Ground, apple day has grown to be a celebration of English apples, orchards and mellow fruitfulness. Apple Day events have sprung up around the country where you can try your hand at apple pressing, drink freshly squeezed apple juice, taste delectable pies and cakes and enjoy a little piece of England! We live in Somerset, famed for its orchards and, of...

Posted by Chris on Oct 15, 2013

A Summary of a Summer or Why I Love Sailing with Kids

The cold has begun to bite, the trees have stepped into their glad rags and I have a spicy dal bubbling in the slow cooker, autumn is well and truly here! But, as the warm smell of cumin and cinnamon permeates the house, my thoughts are turning once more to the sea. The sea in winter, wild and wicked or calm, crisp and supremely peaceful. Those unbelievably blue days when you stuff your hands in your...