Travel - Our Easter Holiday at Piperdam, Scotland

Since the kids were born we have holidayed in Scotland either at my sister's house in Aberdeen, my dad's house or borrowed my aunt & uncle's holiday home. This Easter however we had our first 'proper' holiday that I paid for! It felt rather grown-up (although saying that it was my sister and her other half who arranged it & all I did was transfer them the money!!).

We had booked a lodge at Piperdam Golf & Leisure Resort which is just outside Dundee, Scotland. Ali & Robin had chosen the Forester Executive Holiday Lodge, a 5 bedroom lodge that sleeps 10 people, and it was beautiful. The highlight for me was definitely the outside hot tub on the balcony... bliss! It worked out at £360 a night for the Easter min-week break which I think is reasonable given that we were splitting this between two couples. However for a 4 star lodge at this price, I would have expected that towels, toilet roll and electricity would have been provided, which weren't. That said, the lodge was gorgeous and we were nestled in amongst the trees which was lovely. We also lucked out with the weather - it was sunny for the whole week!! Not often that happens in Scotland!! The kids had a blast.

Champagne in the hot tub

Enjoying a Bear fruit yo-yo whilst watching the bears at Camperdown

The couples took turns at cooking - steak by Ali & Robin (Tesco Finest of course!!)

The Easter Egg Hunt

Making toilet roll owls with Auntie Ali - she was super organised and 

brought plenty activities for the kids

It turns out there are plenty of things to do for little ones in the surrounding area of Dundee. We had a morning investigating the Dundee Science Centre, spent some time enjoying the wildlife at Camperdown Country Park and went on the flumes at the Olympia Swimming Pool.

{Matters to You, with John Lewis}

If you haven't already seen the campaign, then take a look at the new John Lewis 'Matters to You' Home Insurance advert... highlighting the emotional side of insuring the things that matter to you.

John Lewis adverts are always so clever aren't they! (I adored the Christmas one last year - massive tear jerker!).

As part of the campaign, John Lewis have launched a children's drawing competition. 

All you have to do is choose your child's masterpiece on the theme 'favourite things / what matters most', photograph it, and write a little bit about what it means to your child, you and how it makes you feel. Would be a great activity for the Easter holidays :-)

To enter head on over to the John Lewis competition site to upload your picture and details. You can find the terms and conditions here. 

There will be four winners, and each winners artwork will be worked up by professional illustrator Emily Woodard which will then be framed with the original into a piece of art to treasure forever.

Here's Emily at work:

The competition closes on 24th April at 10am - so not much time left to enter!

Here's one of my favourite masterpieces that the eldest drew... what matters most to us is our friends and family. We're a sociable family and the kids are confident talking to lots of different people during our daily routines. In this picture, you'll see my two kiddies with the joiner and electrician (we had just moved into our new house and were getting lots of things fixed!!) and that's me as a fairy up in the sky! The eldest's favourite part is their 'jelly hair'!!

{A Long Weekend in Aberdeen with the Kinder}

Last weekend we headed to Aberdeen to stay with my sister, catch up with family and do a bit of sightseeing. For all intents, we were on 'holiday' and the kids had a blast. For me, who was feeling under the weather somewhat due to my Crohn's flare, it was an opportunity to have family on hand to cook for us and to run around after the little ones! R even managed to come and join us for the Saturday antics :-)

During the day I did my best to stick a smile on my face despite my discomfort and in the evenings I rested.

Anyway, here are some of the pics and details of what we got up to... we were rather lucky with the sunny weather!!

Thursday

Ice Cream at Duthie Park with Grandad and Nanny Jo

Chocolate smiles all round!

Enjoying the big chutes!

Friday

Storybook Glen (full post on this later...)

Swimming @ the Beach Leisure Centre

Saturday

Breakfast at Prego 

Codonas Amusement Arcade

Walk along the Beach

Let me take a #selfie!

{Easter: Crafts & Baking}

Last Easter I shared some ideas for crafts & favours for my little ones over the Easter period. As always, I've been scouring Pinterest and have come up with some new suggestions for you. A little bit late I know, but I've been rather stressed these past few weeks what with illness & selling house.

What are you up to this Easter?

Bunny Tails

Carrot Cupcakes

Origami Bunny

Donut Bunny Pops

Paper Strip Easter Egg Art

Easter Marshmallow Bark

Cheese ball 'carrot' favours

Easter bunny bags

Paper plate craft

Egg carton daffodils

{Easter in Glasgow - Family Activities}

I've got the kids on Sunday and Monday this Easter weekend and stupidly haven't organised anything for us to do as yet... I was trying so hard to be organised as well. Oops!

Anyway, here's a round-up of some of the activities and things to do that I have come across:

1. There are various free Wizard of Oz themed events taking place at Braehead and Xscape over the Easter holidays including crafts, parachute games, singing and dance workshops. Just follow the yellow brick road...

2. Ikea are also holding free daily workshops (2-3.30pm) where kids can take part in craft activities and there is also going to be a bouncy castle outside the store this weekend.

3. There are also free Funday Sunday activities every Sunday from 11am - 4pm at The Avenue shopping centre in Newton Mearns. 

4. The Bodyworks exhibition at Glasgow Science Centre is now open (being a scientist, I'm a little bit excited about this one!!) - probably more suited to slightly older children though, however there is an area at the Science Centre dedicated to toddlers and there are some short films running at the Imax which look good.

5. Hop on over to Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre for more free activities including making bunny ears and wee cute chicks.

6. Cadbury's Easter Egg Trails are on at a number of the National Trust for Scotland venues including Pollok House where there is face painting, games & story telling on Sunday and Monday from 10am. Entry to the house is £5 per adult plus £1 per child for the Easter Egg Trail. Storytelling with Mrs Cotton Tail is an additional £1 per child.

7. I've heard from friends that there are Easter animals (I'm assuming rabbits, chicks etc) at the Glasshouses at Queen's Park that little ones can hold.

What do you have planned this Easter weekend? I'm looking for inspiration!!

{Fabulous Finds: Easter}

I had thought I would make something with (who am I kidding, I'll end up making it myself!) the kiddies for them to give to their little friends at nursery, however, I've kind of left it a little late! Plan is to make something simple this weekend and we'll hand it in next week. Here are some of the fabulous ideas that I've come across on Pinterest...

Toddler loves to bake... just not sure how I'd make the grass!? I might just do green icing in a swirl. {image source}

This is a cute idea - mini marshmallows as bunny tails! {image source}

Some Bunnies Love You cards - maybe for granny & grandpa {image source}

Bunny gift bags {image source}

Easter chick boxes {image source}

Carrot favours filled with sweets {image source}

Bunny Bait {image source}

Bunny gift boxes {image source}