CHILDREN: 7 Fun Activities for Learning all about Oral Hygiene

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Teaching children how to look after their mouth and teeth isn't just important for their independence, but is also a skill that will set them up for life. If children learn the basics when they are young it will become second nature to them and hopefully result in good oral hygiene for the rest of their life. Brushing teeth is only part of oral hygiene, an important one, but not the only aspect children need to learn. Below are seven ways us as parents can help support our children learn all aspects of oral hygiene in both fun and engaging ways.

CHILDREN: How to Make Aquabeads Bunting and a 'We Miss You' Rainbow Card

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Keeping children entertained during lockdown has needed some creativity and thinking outside of the box. The lack of freedom to visit places has meant that so many of us have to stay at home the vast majority of the time. Home learning has been keeping us busy for a lot of the day, but it gets to a point when Isabella needs some time to play and relax. This has been when we've been bringing out the Aquabeads and letting her imagination run wild! If you're not familiar with what Aquabeads are then they are small little beads that can be put together on a tray to create a design, sprayed with water, left to dry and they stick together. No need for irons and such a fun activity for children fours years+ to enjoy. The possibilities for lockdown crafts using Aquabeads really are endless and below I've included a long list of ideas to hopefully inspire you to get creative too.

BBQ RECIPE: Cajun and Piri Piri Corn on the Cob

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Corn on the Cob is a BBQ classic and as a vegetarian an absolute must. But why always serve it with butter and maybe a grind of black pepper? By adding a few extra ingredients you can transform the humble corn on the cob into something that will truly blow you away with flavour! Simple, easy and quick to prepare, these three ways are sure to be big hits at your next BBQ. There's something so understated about this usual side dish, but honestly the addition of Piri Piri and Cajun takes the corn on the cob to the next level. 

RECIPE: Rapunzel Pink & Purple Swirl Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream

When the world went into lockdown we knew that Isabella would be spending her birthday at home with us, instead of on holiday as originally planned. Although initially a bit sad Isabella handled the idea of having her birthday in lockdown really well and we tried our best to make it as special as possible. When it came to the birthday cake Isabella had one wish...to have a Rapunzel cake, so a Rapunzel cake is what she got. I love baking and was lucky enough to still have flour and eggs, despite the empty shelves in the supermarkets.

PARENTHOOD: Ways to Prepare for your Third Baby

When those two blue lines first appear so many thoughts may be going through your mind, from excitement to panic to apprehension and all the emotions in-between. Finding out we were expecting our third baby was such a special moment, but one that filled me almost as much fear as the first time. Not fear of having another baby as such, but more how was I going to manage looking after three children? My husband and I would be outnumbered from the moment our third baby came into the world, which was a scary concept and I know I'm not alone in thinking that. In fact I remember having almost exactly the same concerns when expecting our second baby - how would I split my time between two children? But you do, trust me. You change and grow as every parenting situation you face influences your life; if there is one thing us parents are experts at it is adapting. 

RECIPE: Seriously Indulgent Brownie Millionaire's Shortbread

Millionaire's Shortbread is such a popular sweet treat, but why not make it that extra bit indulgent by adding a layer of brownie in there too? When it comes to baking, two of my husband's favourite things I make are shortbread and brownies, which is where the idea for this recipe originated from. I wondered whether I could combine these two delicious traybakes into one seriously indulgent Brownie Millionaire's Shortbread. A few 'experiments' later and you have a buttery shortbread base, gooey chocolate filled brownie layer, smooth caramel and a thick layer of milk chocolate to top it all off. Certainly a treat and a small slice is more than enough; perfectly paired with a cup of tea if you ask me.