Urban Hike - Manchester

As  a mum I love to get my kids out of the house and off for a walk, most Friday's you'll find me sat on the laptop whilst they are at school trying to find somewhere new to go or even an unknown walk  with things to see and do around Sheffield.

When I was told about Manchester's Urban Hike that Regatta launched earlier this month (working alongside Anja Phoenix).  I was intrigued, so me and the boys set off for Manchester on a glorious summers day to find out more.

Cadbury World

Mmmmmmmm Chocolate ........... from the moment you enter the car park that amazing smell hits you and stays with you for the entire visit.

I like most chocolate, but Cadbury's has always been up there as one of my favourites.  I remember going on a trip to Cadbury World when I was really little so when my mum asked if I wanted to go again with her and the kids my inner child very quickly replies yelled "yes please" (tho probably not as fast as my 2 boys did!).

Review: Blue Kangaroo Series by Emma Chichester Clark

Back in 1998 Emma Chichester Clark wrote the first of her Blue Kangaroo books, "I Love You, Blue Kangaroo!".  A delightful story about a little girl called Lily and her favourite toy Blue Kangaroo. at least he was her favourite until Wild Brown Bear comes along, and Yellow Cotton Rabbit, and the Furry Puppies, and then more and more new toys, until Blue Kangaroo feels there just isn't room for him any more.  The book won the Grinzane Junior Award and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal.

4 years after the last of the Blue Kangaroo books was released Emma has a new title out and has re-released 2 of the old favourites.

Review: Weetabix Protein

Breakfast is always a very boring affair in our house.  I tend to rush off to work on a weekday, with porridge for breakfast once I get in (the benefit to an office job) whilst the kids have whatever cereal happened to be on offer that week (at the moment they are quite happy eating Value branded Cornflakes, so you can see why I'm not a fan of spending a lot of money on breakfast cereal.  When we were told Weetabix had launched new Weetabix Protein and asked to try it out we said yes please.

Bringing the Teddy Bears Hospital to Beavers

With 2 boys of my own (1 a Beaver and 1 in training) I have spent more than my fair share of time at the Sheffield Children's Hospital in the last 2 years.  From X-rays to bandages my boys haven't been scared at all, and I really do think the Teddy Bears Hospital (TBH) has had something to do with this.

2 years ago I took them along to Western Park Museum where the Teddy Bears Hospital was being held the boys loved it and came away knowing so much more about what they could expect from a trip to the hospital.    When I was told that the students wanted to branch out to Youth Groups I couldn't get the contact details fast enough to invite Jess, Ally and the rest of the team along to one of our nights for the introduction of our Emergency Aid badge.

To find out what happened head over to my Scouting Blog here.