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This is an excellent easy-to-make Friday treat and a perfect after-school activity that allows the kids to get their

hands dirty!

What You Will Need:

100 grams butter at room temperature

100 grams sugar

110 grams fine rolled oats

1 tbsp powdered vanilla sugar (if you can’t find this, just use vanilla flavoured normal sugar or simply flavour with

vanilla pod)

3 tbsp cocoa powder

2-3 tbsp water

Decoration: coconut flakes or colourful sugar strands

What To Do:

1. Mix the butter (must be room temperature) with sugar to a smooth mix.
2. Add the oats, cocoa powder, vanilla sugar (if available) and water. Mix until you have a smooth and sticky chocolate brown mix. (The kids love this part and, not surprisingly, plenty of the mix ends up straight in their mouths…)
3. Cover the bottom of a round bowl with coconut flakes or sugar strands (any colour and/or flavour).
4. Form little round balls of the mix by rolling it gently between your palms. If the mix is very sticky, let it set in the fridge for a while, or add a bit more rolled oats.
5. Roll the balls in the coconut flakes or sugar strands until covered all round.
6. Let the finished result rest in the fridge for a couple of hours for best taste. (These yummy treats last for about 3 weeks in the fridge and at least three months in the freezer.)
7. Enjoy!

Baking, Craft and potential Christmas Gift all in one!

What You Will Need:

½ cup salt

1 cup flour

½ cup water

Rolling pin

Cookie sheet

Toothpick

Cookie Cutters

Paint

Glitter

What To Do:

1. Preheat the oven to 100 degrees C.
2. Mix together, salt, flour, and water until dough is formed.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface until the mixture is elastic and smooth.
4. Roll out the dough to about ¼” thick with a rolling pin that has been dusted with flour.
5. Use cookie cutters to cut out as many trees and stars as you want.
6. Use a toothpick to make a hole toward the top of the shape (make sure it is big enough for the ribbon)
7. Place all shapes onto an ungreased cookie sheet and place into the preheated oven.
8. Bake for 2 hours.
9. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
10. Paint the trees green and the stars yellow.
11. Decorate!

What You Will Need

Meatballs

1/3 cup bulgur

1/2 cup hot water

4 ounces lean ground beef

4 ounces hot Italian sausage

1 medium onion, very finely chopped

2 large egg whites, lightly beaten

3 cloves garlic, very finely chopped

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs, preferably whole-wheat (see Tip)

Sauce & Spaghetti

4 cups prepared marinara sauce

1/2 cup slivered fresh basil leaves, or chopped fresh parsley

1 pound whole-wheat spaghetti

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, or Romano cheese (1 ounce)

What To Do:

Meatballs

1. Combine bulgur and water in a small bowl.
2. Let stand until the bulgur is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F.
4. Coat a rack with cooking spray and place it over a baking sheet lined with foil.
5. Combine ground beef, sausage, onion, egg whites, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs and the soaked bulgur in a large bowl; mix well.
6. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Place the meatballs on the rack and bake for 25 minutes. Blot well with paper towel.

Sauce and Spaghetti

1.  Put a large pot of lightly salted water on to boil.
2. In a separate pot, add meatballs to the sauce and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
3. Stir in basil (or parsley).
4. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Drain and transfer to a serving bowl. Top with the sauce and meatballs and serve with grated cheese.
6. ENJOY!

As most of us can remember, when we were kids, keeping ourselves entertained by just eating wasn’t always

enough. Especially mid day when we were in the middle of our very busy and important play dates.

But fun has finally been brought to the table with a clever little invention called the Lolly ChalkMat.

Created by Grace Paik, a mother of three, the idea came about as she attempted to keep her children

entertained while eating in a string of restaurants during a home renovation.

The mats have made quite a name for themselves over the past year for more than just their ingenuity as

they are also BPA, PVC and phthalate free, as well as eco-friendly and reusable.

Lolly ChalkMats come in a variety of prints, so as not to mess up the cohesion of your home decor, with

 one side printed and the other side a usable chalkboard. The mats also roll up to save space….an easily

stored art canvas that also acts as a placemat, what could be better?!

I Choose You is a fun little book full of charming creatures for little ones. The cute illustrations, from the

Lisa Jones Studio, show different animals, ranging from a worm to a whale, up to a bit of sillyness

described in rhyme.

The simple, stylish and sweet book is great to read, especially with children that are just learning animal

noises and names plus it is a great size for a little ones stocking.

The book is £5.99 from Silver Jungle, which sells books about animals for animals, with each sale supporting

a conservation project. £1.00 of this books price goes to CERCOPAN to help protect  monkeys in the wild, but

only if you buy directly from this website.

Scotland is a magical place full of sunlight, mist, rolling hills and deep lakes. And Edinburgh

allows you to get a glimpse of it all. Up to Edinburgh Castle and down the Royal Mile, this city

spans centuries of Scottish history making it an interesting place to visit, learn from and enjoy.

HOW TO GET THERE

Flying to Edinburgh only takes about forty five minutes from London and there are various flights available from

such airlines as easyjet.com and british airways. You can also take a train take the train or, if you are very brave, a

coach.

GETTING AROUND

If you are staying downtown, a lot of the sights you will want to see are within walking distance and there are a number of

free tours you can take with the kids. But a great way to get around Edinburgh is to ride around the city in a

hop on – hop off bus. It stops at 24 spots around the city, including Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriars Bobby, Princes Street

Gardens, and more. Tickets are valid for 24 hours and you can board the double-decker bus anywhere on the route.

WHERE TO EAT

Monster Mash: Mashed potatoes in all sorts of varieties. Fun, unique, child friendly and affordable!

www.monstermashcafe.co.uk/

Henderson’s of Edinburgh: Hearty food at sensible prices, served in a relaxed family atmosphere!  Half portions

of any dish will be prepared for children, while colouring pages and crayons will keep them busy.

http://www.hendersonsofedinburgh.co.uk/

Reds: This cosy restaurant is a great place to enjoy teatime, there is an area to keep the kids amused whilst you enjoy

your food and the cuisine consists of healthy freshly prepared meals. http://www.reds4families.com/

WHERE TO STAY

Corstorphine Lodge: Victorian villa with quiet walled garden in a very convenient location close to both city centre

and airport. A variety of spacious family accommodation is available here.

Novotel Edinburgh Centre: Top quality service and bright stylish family rooms. The hotel has an indoor pool and

fitness centre. Free accommodation and breakfast for up to two children under 16 sharing a room with adults and baby

equipment is available. The hotel has a restaurant as well where a healthy kids menu is served, with activity sheets to

keep the children amused. http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-3271-novotel-edinburgh-centre/index.shtml

WHAT TO DO

Castle

Edinburgh Castle – Visit the castle where the Scottish kings ruled, lived and fought against their enemies.

Museum   

Museum of Childhood – The first museum in the world specializing in the history of childhood, this museum has toys

of all kinds, moving toys, stuffed toys, war toys, every kind of toy, this museum should be renamed the ‘Museum

of Toys’. (free!)

 Scenic View

Camera Obscura – Very cool way to introduce the children to this city. Amusing, interesting and interactive way to see

the city with interesting guides that will teach your children how to look at the surroundings in a whole new way.

Farm in the City

Gorgie City Farm – Visit Kids Rambo or Bount the sheep, a cow, and other fun farm animals right in the city. (free!)

Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo – The Edinburgh Zoo has the largest colony of penguins in the world. The zoo is also home to

endangered animals such as Siberian tigers, pygmy hippos, poison arrow frogs and red pandas.

Boys in their sunday best, regardless of their age, are for sure one of the cutest things at Christmas. And with the

expansion of kidswear over the last few years, a stylish suit or outfit  for your little charmer is more than a

possibility, it is a must.

Trousers

Cacharel: Khaki Corduroy Trousers, £104.00

Simple Kids: Navy Tailored Trousers, £87.00

Shirts

Ralph Lauren: Vintage Check Shirt, £48.50

D&G Junior: White Shirt with Tie Effect, £105.00

Jackets

Cacharel: Khaki Corduroy Tailored Jacket, £170.00

Roberto Cavalli: Pin Stripe Boys Superhero Jacket, £237.50

Right in the heart of London’s West End, lives London’s largest family friendly restaurant, The Rainforest Cafe.

The jungle themed spot is home to life like animated animals including gorillas, jaguars, elephants, crocodiles

and butterflies and includes sights and sounds of the rainforest with thunder and lightning storms, tropical

rain showers and waterfalls.

The food comprises loads of eco-friendly and vegetarian choices. And special parts of the rainforest are

available for party hire for your little Tarzan or Jane.

The cafe supports worthwhile environmental causes and is currently working with UK-based charity,

World Land Trust.

To fit with the holiday season, a Santas Grotto has been set up, running from 11.30am – 7.30pm, every Saturday

and Sunday leading up to Christmas.

Tickets are £35.00 – £39.50 per person and include a three course meals, visit with Santa, photo opportunities and

of course, a serious chat with St. Nick!

You can visit the Rainforest Cafe online at www.therainforestcafe.co.uk , or drop in to 20 Shaftesbury Avenue, London,

W1D 7EU, 020 7434 3111.