Westonbirt Aboretum run their Enchanted Christmas illuminations from late November right up to the 18th of December – and my goodness, they are magnificent. We were very lucky to be invited to Enchanted Christmas last weekend and the event surpassed all my expectations in terms of spectacle and organisation. However, we did have some significant… Read More
I adore Christmas. I adore the decorations, the food and the atmosphere. We are already in full festive baking mode in our house and this weekend I got Biggest and Littlest involved in the making of our festive fruit cake. If you love Christmas fruit cake but aren’t a big fan of thick layers of… Read More
Arty Apple create beautiful personalised gifts for babies and children that are suitable for so many occasions. From Baby Showers to a baby’s first Christmas, you will find a wide selection of beautiful items that are just perfect for those special celebrations and milestones you share with the little ones in your family. Arty Apple… Read More
The nativity can be a rite of passage. My own parents have a home video of me in the 80s, five years old, tinsel wound around my head, bridesmaid dress slightly too small, wings slightly askew. I sang a song about how Mary was going to have a baby, to rapturous applause. And then I… Read More
I love bright and colourful children’s clothes. There was a time when I swore I wouldn’t gender-stereotype at all. I was sure that Littlest would wear all her brother’s hand-me-downs and shun pink and frills. I haven’t stuck to that as religiously as I might have (turns out that we both quite like pink and frills),… Read More
EduGuru educational apps for 3-5 year-olds are a new range of games that are designed to help children learn outside the classroom and stimulate their imaginations. Tablet games that provide predictable interaction are probably a staple in many autism households – and ours is no exception. I knew right away that Biggest would enjoy EduGuru games… Read More
Every parent knows the fight. Autism parent. It starts as soon as the children wake – if they slept – and it continues until the moment you collapse on the sofa, breathing a sigh of relief. It’s “Please eat some breakfast!” and “Where are your shoes?” and “No, don’t push your sister!” It’s remembering the… Read More
The Musical Rainbow Tea Party may be bright pink but there’s no doubt that both boys and girls will find it fascinating. Littlest received her Tea Party set last Christmas. At first, she was transfixed by the sounds and lights. These days, as she grows, she is able to explore and enjoy the educational elements… Read More
I am afraid it is going to be a very quick one today. I have lots of news with Biggest’s Child Development Review arriving last week, but as I type this I have to leave for London in about two hours and I haven’t started packing yet! I am off to Blogfest 2016 with Mumsnet… Read More
Gorgeous boy, you don’t yet understand stereotypes. But people are already judging you by them, stereotypes like these – People with autism have limited imaginations. Autistic children do not play and pretend like others their age. They are trapped in a literal world where the nuances of fantasy and imagery escape them. People with autism… Read More
A result is a result. So stop complaining. People said it after Brexit. People are saying it today. And it enrages me. Democracy is a beautiful thing. It has flaws, as any system of government will, but there is no better alternative; in fact, all the alternatives are much, much worse. But a blind love… Read More
There’s always that one person that is really hard to buy for over the festive season. They may not have any particular interests that you know about, or you feel bad about getting them slippers or bubble bath for the third year in a row… If you have a relative like this, then The Book… Read More