Cooking with Kids: Spiced Apple Cake

Having scrumped some fallen apples from an orchard last week, Tatiana was desperate to make something with them and delighted when Steve came up with this recipe.  It produces a moist cake that would work well warm as a pudding, or wrap it up, grab a flask of tea and head out an adventure.  This quantity makes two loaves, so give one away, eat two or freeze one.  Just wrap it in greaseproof paper then foil and a freezer bag.

Pockit is Revolutionising the World of Personal Finance

We recently heard about Pockit, a new kind of payment card with a number of great banking features and an easy to use mobile app.  The ideal way to give your teenager some more independence, to access banking features if you don’t have them, or to use when abroad - Pockit even gives you cashback when spending at leading high street retailers like M&S, New Look and more.

Birthday Gifts on a Budget

With my birthday on Wednesday and Steve's at the end of the month, we're all about the celebrating in August.  But birthdays and other celebrations that require gifts, meals out and all the other palaver that we feel is essential for celebrating can cost a fortune.  What can you do when money is tight?

Silent Sunday

Our Unschooled Week #21

We are resolutely refusing to acknowledge that summer may be over, clinging on to every glimpse of sunshine amidst the clouds and grey skies, and keeping the fan plugged in when some evenings a heater seems more appropriate.  (We are also doing what all home ed families secretly do and longing for the halcyon days of September when everyone else is back at school and work, everywhere is empty and the sun usually shines.  Sorry!)  But this is what we've been up to in the clouds this week...

Family Days Out: Madame Tussauds, London (Review)

We recently visited Madame Tussaud's with our Merlin Annual Passes.  Having not been for years, I wasn't sure quite how it was set up these days but, if anything, there is more to see than before, with lots of interactive opportunities, such as 4-D film, rides and guided experiences.

How to Have a Good Night's Sleep

Sleep is something most of us feel we need more of, a lot more of!  Busy lives lit by artificial lighting mean many of us are on the go for much of each 24 hour period, far greater proportions than our ancestors would have been.  On top of that there are lengthy working hours, family commitments, social lives we wish to maintain, chores to do, and (lots) of TV to watch.  When we finally get to bed, many of us are kept awake replaying the day's events, or fretting about tomorrow's to do lists.  Phew, no wonder such a large proportion of us report being tired all the time!