Bop It! first appeared in our house around 17 years ago and since then they've regularly added to the range, changed the design and developed new features. We've had several different Bop It! versions, most recently a White Bop It! Extreme. The Extreme model is no longer available, and this Autumn sees a brand new updated Bop It! 2016 release which is action orientated and uses motion technology to full effect.


You can play competitively against yourself or others, trying to complete as many moves as possible correctly when directed by Bop It! The new version features 10 different moves including whip it, drink it, selfie it, hammer it, answer it, cradle it, saw it, sing it, golf it and comb it, and has 3 solo and social play options - Classic, Beat Box and Pass It.

Young Honey Tree is a postal subscription service whereby your child is sent a very carefully crafted box of beautiful stationery each month. The emphasis is on quality and care, with each box contents costing £30 or more if you were to buy the items individually.


This is bespoke stationery, and each monthly shipment will contain fun, beautifully designed exclusive items from the UK’s leading illustrated bespoke stationers. The post box contents include items such as greeting cards, postcards, notecards, gift tags and stickers, and is designed to fit through your letterbox, so you don't need to be home to accept delivery.


In my box we have a theme of wild birds, in a variety of styles to suit different tastes and occasions, but all fairly delicate and well matched, and excellent quality thick papers and cards with beautiful printing.

This Summer Sealife Manchester at intu Trafford Centre is offering visitors a chance to spot a few very famous marine celebrities as the characters from the Disney Pixar movie Finding Dory pay a visit....


Hank the Octopus from the Disney Pixar movie Finding Dory is hiding in some of the tanks along with a secret letter and visitors who spot him, take note of the letters and solve the anagram puzzle can take home a small reward.

This isn't a blog post I wanted to write and it isn't one you were hoping to read. 23 months after losing Elspeth and one of our children is back in hospital long term. Finally they are beginning to discuss their sister's death truthfully, and admit how much they miss her and need her. And finally, when they have truly reached rock bottom, is everyone hopeful that they can see the way through to climb out.

The latest family movie from Lionsgate Home Entertainment is Fishtales. Released on Monday 11th July on Digital Download and from Monday 18th July on DVD. Main characters Ollie, Cleo and Puffer are animated against a backdrop of real underwater footage, and it's actually a lot better than that makes it sound. Think David Attenborough meets Bedknobs And Broomsticks and you get the idea.


When their best friend Ollie the octopus is chased by sharks, Cleo the angler fish and Puffer the pufferfish enlist the help of the fun-loving, worldly manta ray, Crash. Crash and Cleo especially know a lot about the undersea world, and explain everything they see as they go a journey of discovery and wonder exploring coral reefs, the open ocean and freshwater lakes in order to find their lost friend. The group encounter and learn about many fascinating creatures including jellyfish, moray eels and sea turtles.

Rory's Story Cubes are a genius invention that helps expand a child's vocabulary, imagination and understanding of the world through storytelling. Nine small plastic cubes with a different picture prompt on each side, giving you a million possible combinations and infinite adventures. We've been sent the brand new Batman edition cubes to play with.


My boys haven't seen Rory's Story Cubes before, but they both adore stories and storytelling, so I knew they'd be a hit. They are both also very keen on Batman - double hit. Suitable especially for age 6+, inside the box we have the 9 story cubes, rules of play and a carrying case.

A little while ago we reviewed the new vegetarian range from Heck, and as they're so well-known for their flavoursome meaty sausages and we have 3 meat-eaters here, it would have been remiss not to take a look at those too.



Heck Zesty Chicken Chipolata Sausages (10 sausages/340g for £3).

There's no better time spent at home with our teenagers than a family games night, and Cash 'n Guns from Ludovic Maublanc makes it a games night where you point rubber guns at each other and try to steal as much as possible from the other players. It's great...




Each player takes on the role of a gangster, and the scene which unfolds is what happens next after a huge heist. The loot needs to be divided up, but everybody wants it, and everyone is carrying a gun!

Oxo have recently added more products to their Good Grips Kitchenware range, including some great Squeeze And Pour Measuring Cups. They have sent me a selection to review, and it seemed a great excuse for a cake. My youngest wanted to help, so I let him take over...


The first item we used is the 2.8l Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl (£13). Lightweight, yet a good size with a really impressive rubber base, it holds position really well while you are whisking and stirring. A lovely shaped bowl and your mix comes out easily

When you go away on holiday there are always certain home comforts that you do miss, however much fun you are having. A survey by the bedding company Silentnight found that 'Family' didn't come top, instead 6 out of 10 of the British public miss their own bed more.


The survey, carried out by One Poll, asked what made a dream holiday for UK consumers. Peace and home comforts are top of the list, with 52% of British holidaymakers wanting rest and relaxation above everything else. I know when I go away, it's far easier to come home shattered than rested. You need a week off work to get over it.