A beautiful wedding and St.George's Day

This weekend was beautiful wasn't it? We went to a stunning wedding at Pinewood Studios (home of 007!). Honestly, everything was perfect. The atmosphere was electric and the mood relaxed. As my friend texted me yesterday: "Actually the best day EVER!"

So I did a bit of research and found two wedding related books by Usborne for any little budding bridesmaids or mini guests for a big day this year:



£8.99.

Girls will adore dressing and accessorising the beautiful brides, bridesmaids, and handsome grooms for their fairytale weddings.

With over 750 stickers to dress brides and grooms and bridesmaids as they prepare for their big days.

 There is another one called Sticker Dolly Dresing Bridesmaids for only £5.99.

Let me know if you want one.

Oh yes, and today was St. George's Day. One for the boys, perhaps!? (James loves knights and dragons).

This is a picture of us at Dover Castle earlier this month (I don't know why I look so haughty!). I bet there was a lot of activity there today.



£4.99 In stock at Amy's Books



Usborne sell a huge range of books related to knights and medieval times, for all different ages. Did you know that I can advise on the best choices for the lad in your life? Or lass for that matter.

Making stuff from rubbish!

Hi!

James and I are having a lovely day. Right now, James is taking time out to spend time in his Playmobil world and I thought I would make a coffee, sit down and blog.

This morning, James had his hair cut and I had my brows tidied - a fair deal I thought.

Then, we took a trip to the Nottingham Contemporary, which has really given me a boost. When we got home, we decided to raid the dry recyclable bin for stuff we can use to get creative and make new stuff - like robots, trees and animals!

Here are some pictures from our fun day and the books we could use to guide us (I'm afraid I'm big on imagination, lacking in skill or talent).



£12.99 5+




Stuff made by a variety of children (& their parents)





£9.99 5+



And for the littler ones...£4.99



More inspiration can be found at the Nottingham Contmporary Online Gallery:

www.nottinghamcontemporary.org/families

For the rest of this week, you can still drop into the Contemporary to take part in more free family activities. Draw, explore, make, play and let their imaginations run wild.

Amy x

50 Things

Hi everyone. I really want to tell you about a great website for children under 12 and their mums & dads. It is really inpiring and really compliments the Amy's Books way.

https://www.50things.org.uk/

This website is run by the National Trust but you don't have to be an NT member to appreciate it. It talks about some of the things our children should do before they get to 11 and 3 quarters. It encourages children to get outdoors, get messy and enjoy nature.

Here are some pictures of us doing just that at Calke Abbey and the Usborne books that always help us along the way.





£12.99





"50 Things..." says climb a tree. Here's James making a good start.




A delightful little guide to the towering world of trees. £5.99.

 



What animal can you spot?

  


Chidlren will enjoy learning to identify mammals, birds and creepy crawlies. £4.99.

 



Mammal. Spotted.

  

Have you browsed the Usborne catalogue yet? (www.usborne.com). For free delivery, order through me:

07806318789

www.facebook.com/agethingsbooks

agethingsbooks@hotmail.co.uk



Happy reading (& send me your photos of your own family adventures and reading fun if you get time).

Amy x

Back to Dungeness

Today this post has a seaside/holiday theme. I have also promised myself that I will write a little more text today. I do apologise for the lack of text, it's just that I feel the photos do all the talking and do not need ruining by my mind babble!

Inspired by this Usborne book, we ventured out onto the Dungeness headland, in search of things we only come across on holiday.

The wind was gusting and bitterly cold. But the sky was bright blue and the sun surprisingly warm. Here are our best holiday things FOUND and documented for you to enjoy.

Hot chocolate isn't in the book, but it's a must for us when out and about. I suppose in the warm months, it will be chocolate milkshakes and ice-creams but we weren't in the mood for either on this day.

Amy x

www.facebook.com/agethingsbooks



Easter Greetings

Aunty Lissie reads with James. This is "Stories of Robots" from Usborne's trusty Young Reading Series. At the moment, we wouldn't think to travel without it.

I hope you have found time to read this Easter weekend.

We are in the middle of a break from Nottingham. Today we waved cheerio to one set of grandparents (Hertfordshire) and hello to another (Kent).

Amy x

Not-Spring at Waddeston Manor

This Easter Saturday was a day of withdrawal from Abi's pushchair. We went somewhere without it. We missed it.  



And look what I found in the gift shop...

Just couldn't help myself. Love to see Usborne out and about. Usually do see them at National Trust gift shops and also art gallery shops. Says a lot, I think. And makes me feel a bit proud.

As this month comes to an end, Amy's Books is entering a new phase in which I hope to spend more quality time with parents/carers at toddler groups. I also look forward to working with schools, attending school fetes and throwing some book parties. Think I am relaxing into this Usborne thing...still no regrets. Still just looking forward to the next challenge.

http://www.waddesdon.org.uk/

Amy x

4 book displays & a Hen Do later...

It's the end of a very busy and enjoyable week. I am ever so tired from all my Amy's Books trips around Nottingham (The Park Estate, Bingham, Mapperley and Woodthorpe!). And then I went to one of my very best friend's Hen Do in London.

So because I am feeling so lazy (and yes, a little hungover), here are some links and photos for you to peruse. Enjoy!

Little Lamber Jack and his daddy enjoying a great Usborne book at Little Lambs Easter Party on Friday (My First Atlas, £9.99):

http://www.facebook.com/littlelambswoodthorpe?fref=ts

I hope you agree this is a lovely picture which really captures the spirit of Usborne and Amy's Books. It also goes to show that Little Lambs Toddler Group in Woodthorpe is a great play group with loads of space to relax and do your own thing with your child. Thanks to Claire from Tiny Talk Nottingham Central & Rebecca Burke for this photo.

Yesterday afternoon at the Hen Do, we all attended Introduction to Perfume Making with Afternoon Tea. For those of you into your crafts, this company also does all sorts of craft workshops including children's craft sessions.

 http://www.homemadelondon.com/ 

 My favourite scents for my very own unique perfume.



Guanabara Brazilian restaurant and entertainment venue www.guanabara.co.uk/

Amy x