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Greetings, fellow brummie mummies, parents and adventure enthusiasts! I'm Lavania, the driving force behind "The Amazing Adventures of Me." If you're on the hunt for family-friendly escapades and hidden gems in and around Birmingham, you've just stumbled upon your new favourite hub!

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  • Whitemead Forest Park Review: A Cosy Family Glamping Stay in the Forest of Dean
  • 4 areas to live in Birmingham in 2026
  • Winter Wellness: A Personal Journey to Finding Balance
  • Outdoor Celebrations That Make a Lasting Impression
  • How to Improve the Appearance of Hair Loss

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A children's adventure journal, red rubber boots, and an orange backpack with art supplies rest on a stone wall, with white flowers and greenery in the background.
Click to buy our NEW adventure journal and join us in having an amazing time!
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Creatively Parenting a little whirlwind
👩‍👦#teacher (DT food specialist)
📍#Birmingham
🍴#food
🎲 #toyreviews
🚗 #daysoutwithkids
🪲 #cricut ambassador

Glamping with Santa /ad This weekend was just wh Glamping with Santa /ad 

This weekend was just what I needed. I packed up the car with overnight bags, swimming kits, wellies, the kids and my mom plus all sorts of festive treats  and drove just over an hour away from Brum to the Forest of Dean to @whitemead_forest_park for a glamping with Santa experience. 

Their pods are super cute, and plenty big enough for the four of us to enjoy a cosy evening with crafts, pillow fights, story books and marshmallow toasting. 

With an onsite pool, mini golf and play areas as well as live entertainment and craft workshops with elves as well as he chance to meet the big guy in red - there’s plenty for families to do and of course you’re right in the middle of the Forest of Dean with loads of cycling and walking trails to explore.

I’ll pop a full review up on the blog as soon as I can…. But heads up, there’s still some availability for the pods with prices starting at £59 if you’re looking for a unique memory making experience!
Soooo…. Saturday night was fun! ♥️ The song choic Soooo…. Saturday night was fun! ♥️

The song choice is intentional.
Blinked and he grew up! I’m not sure what he thi Blinked and he grew up! 

I’m not sure what he thinks about Santa, but the magic will always be real in our home 

#christmasmorning #johnlewis #christmasmemories
A little bird told me….. AD If you’re looking for A little bird told me….. AD

If you’re looking for an awesome Christmas gift for little ones then this is it. From @alittlebirdtoldmepaperworks - a social enterprise based in Leeds created by adults with disabilities. This box came delivered with everything you could possibly need for a rainy day crafternoon. 

I’m determined to support small businesses and gift with purpose this year. 

With a Superhero theme the box was filled to the brim with all sorts as well as a little guide book explaining the possibilities. 

Every single thing including the dividers in the box was used to build a superhero HQ with all the accessories and the outer packaging designed as a board game. 

With glue, paint, brushes, masks, tissue, feathers, pipe cleaners and masks there was plenty to get the creative juices flowing with superhero models to paint and masks to decorate. 

With the superhero cards and mission challenges this is the gift that keeps on giving and prices at only £14.99 these boxes represent great value and excellent quality with hours of creative fun ready to go! 

#alittlebirdtoldmepaperworks
Christmas Markets Last night we were wandering a Christmas Markets 

Last night we were wandering around Stratford Upon Avon quite late in the evening post theatre trip and saw so many traders setting up stalls in anticipation of the Victorian Market which is taking place this weekend - the whole place feels so festive with twinkling lights and beautiful shop windows all around. 

What I will say is having been to the market in previous years, it’s probably the busiest we have ever been to so expect road closures, traffic and bustling crowds and please be patient with the traders! 

Last year saw so many events cancelled with awful weather that I’m delighted it’s going to be a fairly mild weekend to kick off the festive market season and give traders and small businesses the footfall and trade they deserve! 

If you’re at a loose end and looking for something to do today or tomorrow I’ve got a blog guide with dates and info about as many markets I could find information on in the Midlands: https://arloriverrex.com/christmas-markets-in-the-west-midlands/

Most of these are free to attend and will just need car parking costs covered ♥️
Over the rainbow AD Opening night at Webbs Enchan Over the rainbow AD

Opening night at Webbs Enchanted Gardens and it instantly became my favourite light trail experience ever. The 2025 Wizard of Oz theme is beautiful, the installations are incredible and the whole venue is family friendly. It ticks every box for location, value and atmosphere. 

Full review is now on the blog.
To the young in heart we dedicate this AD The Wiz To the young in heart we dedicate this AD

The Wizard of Oz theme at Webbs Enchanted gardens 2025 is stunning. Easily the best Christmas experience in the Midlands and my favourite light trail. Bold claim I know but this one is truly something special. 

The riverside gardens have been transformed yet again by a team who work for an entire year, and for the fifth time they have simply blown us all away (pun intended). I always think there is no way that they can beat the previous year, especially now that this is the fifth time they have transformed the gardens but this time I was actually overwhelmed with emotion because the Wizard of Oz is my favourite film. 

There are so many little details throughout the entire trail to soak in and after a hectic week at work I felt like I walked straight in to the movie. Every single one of us had little moments which are stashed forever in the memory bank. Paloma’s face when she first saw Glinda, my dad looking up at the lanterns in the trees, mom dancing around everywhere like Elphaba and Arlo skipping along the yellow brick road like scarecrow, and for me, just standing somewhere over the rainbow and then having snow suddenly appear.

With three generations of my family I convinced to cosplay with me, we wandered through the gardens together following the yellow brick road - laughing, dancing and just soaking it all in. 

Webbs of Wychbold is super easy to get to, just off the M5, this trail is accessible, family friendly and I think great value for money. 

Open now

Dates: 21st November - 3rd January (except for Xmas Eve, Xmas day and Boxing Day) 

Time slots: from dusk around 4.30pm daily until last entry around 6.50pm 

Ticket prices: 

Adult 16 years from £17
Child 3-16 years from £11
Child 0-2 years from £0.00
Family Ticket from £53

SEN session on 11th December with reduced capacity 

Full review is live on the blog now
Merry Christmas Brum You’re looking beauts this Merry Christmas Brum 

You’re looking beauts this evening ✨
25 Christmas Light Trails in the West Midlands and 25 Christmas Light Trails in the West Midlands and Beyond 2025

Looking for the best Christmas light trails near you?

This year’s updated guide includes:

✨Warwick Castle after dark @warwickcastleofficial 
✨Trentham Estate Winter Light Trail @trenthamestate 
✨ Winter Glow Three counties show ground - Malvern @winterglowuk 
✨ Webbs of Wychbold @webbsgc - Enchanted Gardens 
✨ Himley Hall and Park @himley.hall - Enchanted adventures 
✨ Luminate at the botanical Gardens @luminateuk  and Coombe Abbey 
✨ National Memorial Arboretum @nat_mem_arb - Illuminated Arboretum
✨Biddulph Grange Gardens @biddulphgrangent - Festive Lights 
✨ Telford Town Park @telfordtownpark - Festive Gardens 
✨ St Peters Garden Centre @stpetersgardencentre - festive light trail 
✨ Blenheim Palace - @blenheimpalace 

The guide features over 20 more magical trails across the Midlands and a little further afield for those who like a festive as well as updates to changes to some of our favourite venues 

Find dates, ticket prices  and more in my latest blog post. 

The full guide covers every confirmed 2025 light trail in the West Midlands, East Midlands and nearby counties.

Read the full list via the link: 

https://arloriverrex.com/christmas-light-trails-in-the-midlands/

#christmaslighttrails #christmaslighttrails2025 #lighttrailsnearme #christmaslights #westmidlands #midlands #daysoutwithkids #familydaysout #thingstodoinbirmingham #christmasdaysout #uklighttrails
Every year on Remembrance Day, I look back through Every year on Remembrance Day, I look back through these photos - little pieces of our family’s history of military service that I want Arlo to always know. 

From his grandad, my dad, to the generations before him, each one has served with courage, compassion, and a belief in something bigger than themselves. Different places at different times but always a very similar story. 

It’s so important that we remember our past, especially in these turbulent times our world is experiencing. 

Every poppy worn is more than just a symbol, it’s a quiet nod to the sacrifices made, to those who fought to defend humanity, to stand up for what’s right, and to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves.

We remember so that history doesn’t repeat itself.

We remember so that compassion always triumphs over cruelty.

We remember and we keep telling their stories. 

Lest we forget.

#RemembranceDay #LestWeForget #FamilyHistory #Legacy #Poppy #MilitaryFamily #Remembrance #Proud
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