Day Out: Free Half Term Event at Reading Museum {Doodle Tree Trail}

It's half-term! Again! Half-terms have a tricky way of sneaking up on you unexpectedly. You're busy taking the kids to school, picking them up, doing homework, and other school things and then it's half-term and you have to plan all these things! I don't know about your children, but my two are now used to a routine and struggle with not being told what to do next.

That means it's up to me to give them suggestions or to take them out! It can be hard to get out and about without spending a lot of money at the movies or indoor play centres. I went looking online at free stuff for kids to do in Reading over the half term and was directed to the museums site.

Now this event was outside, but I thought rain or shine it's a good way to get out of the house for the afternoon. There is only so much baking, crafting, and watching movies parents and children can do!

The event was called the Doodle Tree Trail: discover some extremely special trees in Reading town Centre. It sounded different and interesting so I signed us up!

We started outside of the museum with a fun activity pack that asked us not only about the trees, but included fun facts of the trees or local history!

Trees we saw: 

Hornbeam (carbines betulus)
Judas Tree (circus siliquastrum)
Mulberry (mores nigra)
Maidenhair Tree (ginkgo biloba)
Weeping Willow (sail babylonica)
London Plane (platens xhispanica)
Indian Bean Tree (catalpa bignonioides)

The crew of people who were running the tour were very friendly, informative, and patient with the children... and adults who had questions! My girls seemed to really enjoy it. At 8 and 6 they might not have taken it all in, but they liked walking around the different parts of town we rarely go too and filling out their activity packs along the way.

This tour won't be happening again, unless they get funding, but they will be leaving the activity packs and a map of the tour at the Reading Museum for anyone interested in checking it out! If anything it takes you around the town centre and shows you a bit more then just shops!

I would recommend checking it out if you happen to be in Reading and looking for something a bit different to do! Plus there is so much more to see and explore at the museum as well as hosting other free half-term events!

Find it here:
Reading Museum
The Town Hall
Blagrave Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 1QH

notes: all opinions are my own and in no way associated with the Reading Museum - I really enjoy local events and sharing them with my readers, for more information please see my contact/policy page.

Five on Friday: 5 Things My Mother Taught Me

In the states Mother's Day isn't until May. However this Sunday is Mother's Day here in the UK and with all the Mother's Day cards and ad's telling us how to treat our mother's this Sunday I can't help but think of my mother so far away in the USA!

So, this Five on Friday I am sharing 5 things my mother taught me. Things that have helped shape me into the person I am today.

How to be a good friend: My mom has the biggest heart. She taught me that everyone needs a friend: someone who listens and gives them time. Putting someone else's needs before yours and helping them when they need it - no matter if it's just to listen or help them move house that's what being a good friend is all about!

Acceptance & Tolerance: she taught me to accept everyone for who they not only for the good in them, but also the bad. Because no one is perfect and we all make mistakes. People come from all sorts of backgrounds and even though we may not understand doesn't mean we shouldn't be nice to them. A smile is all it takes sometimes.

Choices - making my own: I have never been told I couldn't I do something. When I started looking at colleges I applied and was accepted at Washington University in Seattle. My mom sent my non-refundable deposit as I was going to go. Then when I thought about out of state tuition and how much I'd owe when I got out I changed my mind. When I moved to the UK I know she wasn't over the moon about it, but she never once told me or asked me not to go. She has always let me live my own life. She taught me to make my own decisions because she understands that it's my life.

Nothing is better then a good book: Growing up I saw my mom constantly with a book. Children see, children do. My sisters and I are all big readers. She taught me that reading is a great way to expand your mind without having to go anywhere. 

How to Love unconditionally: No one loves me like my mom does. It's not a love that can be replicated. I know that no matter what choices I make my mom will always be there for me. It's something that I hope to pass along to my girls, I hope they know that no matter what their future choices are I will always back them up.

Happy Mother's Day!!

notes: It's important to let your mom know how important she is every day not just on the day we're told to by the card companies! She may already know, but it's nice to hear it! All images are my own, first seen here on unitedcakedom.com

Five on Friday: My five favorite Childhood Cartoons

You are only as old as you feel.

My literal self says that is stupid. You are as old as you are and that’s that.

However the very small part of me that isn’t literal says well, sometimes I feel pretty damn old and there are times when I feel young.

Those times are when I am making my girls watch cartoons that I want to watch over ones they want to watch. I can be a real hard ass.

Just kidding I’m mostly a push over. I record the ones I want to watch and watch them when no one is around so people can’t judge me.

But for this weeks Five on Friday I wanted to revisit the cartoons my sister and I watched every day after school with our afternoon snack.

Tiny Toon Adventures

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Animaniacs

Beetlejuice

Eek the Cat

notes: Pictures are from Wikipedia