First day of the half-term holidays and we’re off to the Ferne Animal Sanctuary with Nanny (Dan’s Mum). The Ferne Animal Sanctuary is over the border from us in Somerset and is home to 300 unwanted animals. Set in 51 acres, there is a nature trail, picnic area and animals to see from chipmunks to donkeys so we’ll be putting our wellies on and getting a bit of fresh air (if the weather hold off!). Don’t think the tea room will be open as it’s only staffed (by volunteers) between April and September (Wednesday, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays 2.00pm – 5pm.) but we might take a hot drink in a flask and some cakes!!

Natasha would like a kitten for her 8th birthday in January so hopefully we’ll chat to someone about that while we’re there.

Came across a super website this week called mirrors4kids.co.uk. Their range of mirrors work well with children’s bedrooms, bathroms, or any room that would look good with a funky mirror. I love the affordable £15 butterfly mirror, (below) which is made of acrylic. Acrylic mirrors are lighter, stronger and safer than glass. They are laser cut at the mirrors4kids workshop in Huntingdon. Appropriate details and patterns can then be screen printed onto the mirrors.

As well as the lovely butterfly kids mirror, there is also a cute book worm design, a cool childrens car mirror and a sun shaped mirror. The friendly looking crocodile mirror would look fabulous in any children’s bedroom or ensuite with a jungle or safari theme as would the lion, elephant, hippo or giraffe mirror. The dancing star mirror could look good in a space themed bedroom, and the purple dippy dino mirror is another favourite of mine. Kids who love bunny rabbits will be thrilled to receive the Easter Bunny mirror and the flower shaped mirror is very attractive.

Fairy themed bedrooms are always popular with little girls, the fairy and mushroom mirror above would suit this room well. My daughter would love the pig, teddy bear and pony mirrors and my son would like the football, rugby ball or space ship mirror – there really is something for everyone!

THE place for children’s mirrors is definately mirrors4kids.co.uk. Check it out today.

Agents needed all over the UK – flexible home based job – work around the family, decide how many hours to work and earn extra all year round – see www.tishtashtoys.com

Article by Cherie Spicer – Tish Tash Toys Agent for Ashford, Kent

Last Tuesday we paid a visit to Colchester Zoo in Essex, it was about a two-hour drive for us to get there but was well worth it! We got in by paying with our Tesco Clubcard Days Out Vouchers so it didn’t cost us a penny, but if not, entry varies between seasons from £13.99 – £15.99 per adult and children between £7.99 – £9.99 (under 3’s go free) plus if you book tickets online you receive 5% off.

For more information on prices, opening times, how to get there etc go to http://www.colchester-zoo.com/index.cfm?fa=info.opening You can also hire pushchairs, carts, wheelchairs and lockers.

As you walk into the Zoo you immediately come to South American World. There is an enclosure you can walk through that has Sloths and Marmosets wandering around, which was lovely as you can get so close to them, definitely a great beginning point to the Zoo!

There were so many great animals, popular, rare and endangered, far to many to mention but our highlights of the day were getting as close as you can possibly imagine to the African Lions in Lion Rock. The two Lions were prowling around the enclosure as it was close to their feed time and the male Lion kept passing us, we were so close that only the glass window was separating us, he was huge and did make us jump the first time he passed in front of us!!

We thoroughly enjoyed the African Zone, were we also got extremely close to the Giraffes, Pygmy Hippo, Zebras, Rhinos and Ostriches. There were three Elephants in Elephant Kingdom that were at a bit of a distance from us, but the Huge Brass Elephants more than made up for not getting so close to the real thing, the kids had a great time climbing over them and pretending to be riding real Elephants! We also managed to catch the Hyenas feed time and had a great view from above their enclosure.

I was most eager to go and see my favourite animals in the Aquatic Zone, the Humboldt Penguins at Penguin Shores, they had just been fed so were not very active, but still well worth seeing. Also in the Aquatic Zone was Iguanas, Fish, Sealions and free ranging Tamarins, small mammals such as Meerkats, Mongoose and Marmosets. We also got quite close to the resident Orangutan in Orangutan Forest, which also included Giant Turtles and more small monkeys.

Last but not least seeing the beautiful White Tiger in White Tiger Valley – I have never seen such a gorgeous animal, although I still wouldn’t want to get to close!

I feel like I have missed to much out, as there truly is so much to see and do, check out the website for more information www.colchester-zoo.com

My last word, well worth a visit, so much to see and do, very family friendly with lots of toilets, baby changing and feeding facilities, plenty of food shops, a few play areas and a fantastic soft play area for under threes. You will not be disappointed!

If you are interested in being a Tish Tash Toys agent – working from home around your children, see www.tishtashtoys.com