Rain rain....

How depressing the weather has been here! I've not really felt like writing much so a quick roundup of our last week will bring me up to date, then I'll add some pictures tomorrow.

Running is going ok. We usually do about 5 kilometres, with a fair bit of walking in-between. We do mostly feel stronger though, and look forward to being fitter and able to manage an hour running. it's nice to chat as we run, my running friend and I are old friends, who had not been in contact for several years, so it's been nice to catch up with her, even if we run less!

A is really enjoying school, he has lovely friends there, and this week he's completed his knitted king and is now beginning to grasp basic French.

Ofsted have been at L's school this week, all good reports I hope! She has moved on to ancient Greece, but appears to be enjoying it less than Egypt. I think some help with the basics will help her, and me!

little c is becoming very vocal now and asks for things with long sentences! She has learned the word 'shut up' from the others, and likes to use it, often in context, many times a day! Ignoring does not appear to be working so I'm at a loss really as it is so horrid.

We have a new member in the family. A beautiful golden female syrian hamster, who remains un named but will likely be fudge, as that's biggest girls choice, and she usually gets her way!
Funnily the cage was left open by C last night, and amazed us by wandering in about midnight! A lucky thing I guess, we were about to let the dog out!

On the craft front, L has just loved making a needle felted spring lady. It's beautiful and she is getting much better at felting. I have done very little really, except altering a charity shop maxi dress in to a skirt for L and a tunic for C. It is cheaper to up cycle than buy material at the moment.oh and a quick make of a library book bag for little c, she loves it!
Well this next week will hopefully offer some sunshine and dry washing weather!

Sleep time

We have always been very relaxed about sleeping here, with both of the elder children sleeping in the big family bed until they felt old enough to leave. For L this was at four, A was nearly six. Even now if they wake they like to come in for cuddles, thankfully it's usually almost morning, and happens infrequently these days.

we felt ready to make a little area for C in our room this week, so I set up the bed, with a nice pretty rug and her basket of books. The first night she took over an hour to go to sleep, although she loves the idea of her own bed and being grown up!. The second night it was a little quicker, en last night she kept getting out and I eventually fed her to sleep as I wanted to go out. Tonight though, she was great. After a couple of reminders that she shouldn't get out, she slept. at 8pm. FAB! I know she will want milk at some point, probably before midnight, but that's fine. It's just lovely to have some quiet time, to relax,( watch rubbish on tv if I feel like it) and hopefully do some knitting or crochet too.

Other stuff..... We are all feeling a bit miserable about the weather still, C is loving getting her waterproofs and wellies on to go puddle jumping, and we have squeezed in a few walks. I long for warm spring days, and long walks with friends, and picnics. I do hope the bank holiday brings better weather.
we Had delicious pork and apricot butchers sausages for tea tonight, just cal, little c and I as the biggies were at friends, and it was delicious. The difference to supermarket bangers is so vast, I pledge to only buy them from the butchers from now on. It's slightly more expensive, but very worth it I think.

May day cake, complete with maypole, lemon curd, butter cream and candles, went down very
well after our evening walk with the cousins. It was a nice day in all, more light from now on would be lovely though!

Another wet weekend

How depressing this weather is. We have kept warm inside as the gales are blowing here, and last night we made a HUGE apple cake, hopefully to last a few days for school lunches, but its being eaten quickly!
 L has been at her friends for a sleepover, but we are all back at home today, thankfully. After a hearty lunch of buchers minted lamb pie, with mash and veg, we are snuggled down with mama mia. This really goes against our ideal of no tv for the kids, and to be honest they are not thant intrested anyway, but its nice to be cozy together and chill out for a few hours.

Crumpets for supper and an early night i think. Ive also made a start ebaying lots of clothes that have been ourgrown, there is a lot more to do but im pleased to have a few bits up there for sale.

                                                 Thisby and molly dolly enjoying afternoon tea

                                                          A sort of organised mess!

I managed a bit of sewing yesterday, and finished it today, but inbetween i've dropped and badly broken the camera so its before pics only i'm afraid.

Back to school...

A very cheeky miss C, age 26 months.

Return of Some rythmn, as the biggest two have gone back to school. They are both enjoying their nature main lessons right now, A has been learning about the world around him, and planting some little plants, and reading more independently. cal has been reading the faraway tree books to him, they are both loving them, especially as cal has not come across them before. This baffles me as blyton was very much a favourite for me as a child! L is doing botany again, with a focus on flowers this time. She has loved learning about bulb flowers, especially tulips, this week. Handwork continues at home and school, with both kids keen to knit and needle felt as usual. Little C is dry day and night now, I am soooo pleased with her, and she wowed the healt visitor at her two year check, by chatting continually and asking for the toilet! Very proud mum. I was not so proud when she stood up in the trolly at aldi and yelled, a black lady mum. Very loudly. Twice. And told me that she wanted to "rider" a mans seat. He was in a wheel chair. Both ground swallow me up moments, at I don't remember the others ever doing.I'm sure reading this back in years to come will make us smile. Today, A is at his greatgrandads making a model aeroplane, and L has gone to a friends for the day. so it's just C and I as cal is working.I'm getting on with a patchwork cushion cover, while C is having fun with my button jar and pin cushion. I think we may make cake soon though, as quiet Saturday afternoons need cake quite frankly. We have may day dancing to look forward to next week, I'm hoping it gets dryer though, this rain is very depressing now. we seem to be stuck in so much, I'm actually looking forward to a run tonight and some fresh air!

another week flown by.......

We are still on Easter holidays here, luckily really, as there has been plenty of sickness in the house. little C started things off, with two nights of vomiting and generally being very quiet and unlike herself, A followed, in true style by being sick in the car. Truly hideous I must say. Then I was last, only really Ill for 24 hours, but enough to knock me back a bit.
On Thursday we were all feeling much better, and hungry after days with little more than crumpets or soup. So off to toby carvery we headed, it was a real treat too, with clean plates all round. It's funny after sickness how even the children crave healthy vegetables and fruit, natural healing I suppose.

L had a sleepover party to go to on friday night, we ( I really) had made bunting for the twin girls, and I stayed for a few glasses of wine whilst the girls all settled down, eventually, to sleep. lots of fun, laughs and cake for everyone.

Ive managed another run this afternoon, I think we are up to about a mile with out stopping, although we tend to run further and have some walking in-between. We are much fitter already, it's amazing really, and We now hope to do a 10k run in the summer!

Diet has not been great, but I'm exercising hey, will try harder next week.

The crochet session was great, we learnt lots, I just need to practice now, and get to grips with patterns, if im ever going to manage something as lovely as my mum made me for my birthday...

I think tonight will be early night for kids, then curry and film for us, by the fire as it's still nippy up here. Tomorrow I plan to make cakes for packed lunches this week, chocolate and flapjacks and apple loaf. Right now though, daddy and A are playing loudly, L and little c are building stables with Lego and singing. The floor is covered with bricks. And bits of roast veg crisps. And the sun is shining beautifully over the busy bird table.
Have a lovely Sunday everyone.

Lazy weekend

After a busy few days we have really chilled back here.

 I went along to the crochet session yesterday with a friend. It was very useful, and much more like knitting than I thought it would be. We learned chain, double and treble stitches, then I made a small flower by increasing in each stitch. I generally feel more inspired to create something pretty now. That's if I can ever understand a pattern!

The children stayed home with cal and played in the garden mostly I think. We had Chinese style chicken curry for tea, homemade but more spicy than I planned. It was eaten by everyone though, so it seems little C is not bothered by some heat.

Today it is lovely and sunny, but still nippy enough to need a log smouldering, ready to be stoaked later when we are all done outside. Cal has been strimming and mowing while I made lunch. Today it was shepherds pie with purple sprouting broccoli, yum. I added some mint sauce to the meat mix before topping with potato, and it really made a difference.

Right now....

L is needle felting a blue tit, she is copying one that I made earlier, but without help. It's coming along well.

A is outside kicking a ball, just now he was up the tree and earlier on the trampoline. He has serious energy to burn today, we may need a walk too.

C is half dressed and looking much brighter after her sicky spells through the night. I have lots of sicky sheets in the machine that need drying too!

I am here, but soon I plan to make scones for tea, and will probably have them with cream and jam. I'm running tonight, so it's fine really?

I'd hoped to make birthday presents for two boys for tomorrow, but that's not going to happen now I don't think. The kids really want to go to the history museum in London one day this week so I hope the dry weather lasts.

I notice that a few more people are dropping by here too, thankyou. I really write here as my memory is not great, and it's lovely to look back at what we got up to. I will try and add more pics though, as I know blogs like this are a bit boring really! X

Weekly roundup..

the holidays are really flying by, so much so that I need to sit and plan our last Week, to ensure a good mix of fun and calm pottering at home.

:: The weather has been so changeable here that I've not managed any gardening, we have however enjoyed lots of walk, a scarecrow trail and park play, whilst dodging the rain and appreciating the lovely sunshine in-between.

:: grandad is unwell so is staying here for a few days, despite the constant play and story requests from the kids, he is resting and eating more now.

:: we picked wild garlic yesterday and made the most lovely velvety soup...

Stirfry half an onion with half a butternut squash, some celery, a parsnip and sprinkle of cumin. Add a handful of wild garlic, a chopped garlic clove and cover with stock. Boil up. Blend. Add cream to right texture and grated parmesan. yum. No pics sorry, as I was not organised enough! Every one ate lots and I have leftovers too. It would work well with bacon or chorizo I think too.

:: my mum had a nice birthday, after much deliberation, my sis and I chose a lovely set of baking scales, and a cake stand with galas dome lid, perfect for her to display her sandwich cakes in. Plus we can now see when we arrive if there is cake available!!.

:: We have a party to go to on Monday so I need to find or make pressies for that, I may have a browse around the shops after my crochet less ion tomorrow. I can't wait to try crocheting, as although I love to knit, it's very time consuming. Crochet is faster and I have lots of inspiration for pretty things too.

:: Tonight L is having her cousin to stay, and A is going to stay there. We are all going out for tea together first though which should be nice.

: I ran again yesterday, we are all getting fitter I think, and I enjoy getting fresh air and an hour out of the house a few times a week.

:: little C is doing so well with toilet training, she is dry all day every day and a real star!

Spring holidays

A finished school today, the class, alongside the kindergarten children performed a poem and a song, then a short piece on their wooden flutes. It was lovely , they really enjoyed it and afterwards we shared lunch together, with chocolate nests for afters too!

The last few days have flown by, with little rhythm, but lots of fun. We visited a manor house and had a fantastic day in the sunshine, playing by the lake and then the ten of them ran wild in the adventure playground, leaving the mums to natter the afternoon away.
running is going well, my pelvic floor is responding to exercise better now, thank god! We are going out three evenings a week and run for about fourty minutes, hopefully in time we'll run further and maybe only twice a week.

This afternoon A and I have been creating alien cutouts and are planning a spaceship too, minted lamb and lentil casserole is cooking and smells yum, and considering it's holidays the house is quite up together really, so I don't feel to guilty for our lazy colouring afternoon by the fire. It's bloody freezing outside so gardening is a no for now, clearing it will be a huge task when the sunshine returns.

birthdays

My sister, mum and I all celebrate our birthdays in early April, and today we had planned a posh picnic by a stream with all of the children and family. The weather forecast didn't look good so we changed our plans and everyone came to us for cake and tea. Typically it turned out beautiful and sunny! I made nigellas devils food cake, it was very rich but utterly delicious!

The little ball is A's latest completed project

We had a friends children for a few hours too, and hay all played very nicely in the garden for the whole time, only stopping to devour sandwiches and chips, and then the sticky chocolate cake. my sister did not stay long as they are in the middle of a house move, we have benefited from this by being given a nice wooden side unit for our dining area. The storage is useful for bulky mixing bowls and extra crookery, and L has already enjoyed relocating our nature area on to the top. It does look quite pretty though. A neighbour kindly bought me some beautiful spring flowers, picked from her garden, i love daffodils and really muct plant more for our own garden next year.

after everyone had left we went for a quick walk and back to the pub garden for a pimms, very nice it was too. Poor A has school tomorrow as his holidays don't start until Thursday.

Wednesday...and more sunshine

A quick roundup of our last few days...

The sun continues to shine and we've been making the most of it! A lovely long walk and ice-cream on Saturday, the to salcombe and hope cove on sunday. admittedly it was a long drive, for just a few hours, but so worthwhile as it was just glorious down there. We set up a little camp on the beach and it really felt like summer in Spain.
The kids played ball, and then rock pooled for ages, before a nice stroll and ice creams. salford is so stunning, I love driving in, the view down below of all the little yellow breaches and coloured houses is so pretty, we will be back in the summer, with the tent, that's for sure!
back home It was disappointing to find that the low setting on our slow cooker had not heated enough to cook tea, so a quick hunt in the freezer for meatballs and chips, al a ikea.

This morning, following a nice bubble bath together, C and i went to the music group again. she only likes the bubble time bit really, but it's nice to do something alone with her.
I picked up a lovely old enamel washing up bowl yesterday, as she loves to wash her cups and bits. She was so busy playing that potty training was far from her mind, resulting in a little accident, on the whole we are catching most wee's though, and she is trying hard.
Its so nice todat, that  i really want to get out and start clearing the old allotment area for when we get hens. The car also needs a good vacuum and I've promised A cakes after school, so no rest here today.

Morning Rhythm

Cal and I differ in that I am a night owl and late riser, whilst he prefers an earlier night and is then ready to rise with A soon after dawn. It's always worked well, especially with me breastfeeding lots through the night. I'm grumpy in the mornings if I get woken too early.

This routine has always worked for us, however I do often get up to a chaotic house, with everyone running late and not dressed. I've tried leaving clothes out for the kids but they are happy to sit with cal in their pj's until the last minute, eating breakfast in the lounge as it's warmer in there, and then last minute dash to get washed and dressed before school.
By chance, I woke up early one day last week and set the table for everyone to have breakfast together like we do at the weekends. It was great, and much calmer too. I asked everyone to bring clothes down to warm on the radiator while we enjoyed a pot of tea, juice, hot cross buns, cereal and toast. Even little c joined us. The kids like it and want me to get up for an early breakfast every day, so I'm giving it a go. So far I've yet to get the early night and C is still breastfeeding many times a night, so I feel knackered, but they love the family time and get to practise their mealtime times tables and extra time each day too....result.
We are starting with basics, the threes, as they are both good at the two's already. I've written them out on a large card that is pinned on to the wall beside the table. We ask them
three each before and then after dinner. They can look at the board for the answer but must repeat the whole sum back to us. After a week or so I will turn the card over and do them for another week without it before going on to the fours.it's working well I think.

Tonight I went for the run, it was a gentle start and we are going again in a few days.I look forward to getting fit and eating freely!

Right now..

:: A is at beavers, the others have gone to take him there and I'm running a bubbly bath to enjoy 10 mins peace and quiet in, with a small chunk of crunchy!!

:: we had a lovely day with my sister and niece, then collected A from his school and went to a wonderful playground nearby, for a good run with his friends.

:: we had an early dinner of butchers lamb pie with mustard mash, red cabbage and carrots. Not low gl at all, but I'm starting running again with a friend tomorrow, so i'll be better for the rest if the week.

:: Lwent to the hairdressers after school and requested a short bob, she looks very grown up indeed, I hope she washes her hair more often now and complains less about brushing!

:: C managed to sleep through dinner and has woken up grumpy. Getting her to eat solids is hard. At over two now she is still very much a booby monster. She has been calling Ava, Ada all day, it was very cute. She loves running around with her girly cousin.

:: A got absolutely soaked on his school walk today, they take a longer hike on Wednesdays, he loves it, but ultimately it involves water and mud, mud ,mud!

:: Im looking forward to a quiet day tomorrow. We have been too busy this week and need rhythm and harmony in the mornings. I hope to rest and play with C tomorrow, with a little music and stories maybe.

:: I also need to finish knitting my squares for the blanket project and get them sent off.
Urgently! The pretty flowers that I hoped to add may not happen now unfortunately. I really want to learn to crochet too.....

Sunshine and soup

The sun shine woke me early this morning, thus allowing some quiet time to prepare the table for breakfast and enjoy a fruity brew. I really should go to bed earlier and enjoy this time in the morning more.
 After the school drop we headed in to the local wood for a walk with C snug on my back (in the ellivill dark green zara wrap.) The light was beautiful, but as usual I forgot the camera. The dog decided to charge off after a pheasant towards the end, and eventually made his own way home, wet from a cow trough. he can dry off outside for the morning!

 Morning chores are done and the windows are now open to clear the air. little C is happy playing outside in the mud kitchen with a ladybird. we have also made soup for lunch, on sunny days we love sunshine soup, and this is a spring version that I've thrown together today, we'll have it with honey wholegrain spelt loaf, yum.

1/2 onion
Fat parsnip
Handful of green lentils
4 mushrooms
Stick of celery
2 sweet potatoes
Half a leek
Teaspoon of cumin
Clove or garlic, chopped
Black pepper
Chicken or veg stock to cover

Sweat onions, leek and cumin in a knob of butter, add everything else and simmer for 30 mins or so. I blend it for the children, but it is lovely left chunky, a little water can be added if it's too thick, or cream, or a sprinkle of Parmesan.

We are having chicken and veg curry for tea, I'll split it and make the children's milder, and serve it with basmati and organic pappadoms that I found in the health food shop. I could do a post about the foodie shops around here, we are very lucky, I just wish I could afford to shop exclusively in them! I'll take my camera to the market next weekend and write a bit about our nearby towns. Better go, bookie to be read now!

Mothers Day

We've had a lovely day here. Cal got up and did breakfast for A, he was awake at six, excited and ready to make more cards for me. Tea and white toast in bed, i gave up both last year and it wasn't really a treat as i don't miss tea now, but the kids had fun getting it ready. Roses from cal, pink and yellow, and a lovely surprise.
We then took a picnic over to a farm park about half an hour away. it was cold but lovely. Baby chicks to hold and piglets, bunnies and lambs. How my ovaries ached! We had a great time. I am really spurred on to get hens now, and great grandad has been telling the kids lots of chicken related tales recently, so they are really excited too. We just need to find a reasonable but large coop.
We called in with cupcakes to nannies on the way home then had bangers and mash with cauliflower cheese and veg for tea, a slice of delicious herman friendship cake, and orange henries!
 Now that everyone is asleep, I'm indulging in a my weekly graze box, this time i have bbq pistachios, oriental cracker mix, chilli olives and a lemon cake with a fruity tea bag too for tomorrow. scrummy. I also have a flake, that's a real mothers day treat!!

        The tortoise also woke up to say hello briefly, Tasman and tahuna, the smaller one.

                                                                    Herman

 In all a lovely day, washing is up together and packed lunches made for tomorrow. C and I will be at the library and then soup making and baking tomorrow.

Our day

Friday rythmn went a bit out of the window as we have the inlaws visiting.

:: we all enjoyed delicious chocolate cake this afternoon, following a hearty pub lunch of 2 in 1 pie.....which is a pie withnfilling of choice in one half and cauliflower cheese in the other, all topped with melt in mouth pastry. Yum, even the children can get enough of them!

:: a big lunch meant a no cook tea, hot cross buns and fruity tea all round.

:: little c has entertained the grandparents all day, she loves to make us laugh and has amazed them by changing so much since they last came before Christmas.

:: A enjoyed showing them around his new class when they collected him. he is loving school and growing up more everyday.

:: The high dose vit c is doing it's stuff, L is much better today and the happy owner of lots of pony bits, donated from her aunty. She is in heaven, packing away her brushes and hat. Oh how she would love a faithful steed!

:: tomorrow rain is forecast, I hate wet weekends as we are all betternfor getting outside. A wet walk it may have to be.

:: my knitted basket weave square is almost done, I really like the pattern and plan to start a little blanket for c's doll afterwards.

That's it really, will add pics later as we have lots of craft happening at then moment that would be nice to add here.

Our day.

Was quite uneventful really.

:: L quite likely has hooping cough, it's mot too bad at the moment but friends at school are suffering badly so I hope the high dose vit c keeps it at bay to some degree.

:: I arrived an hour early for pick up at school today, not sure how I managed to read the clock wrong but it did allow for a charity and book shop browse.

:: I bought A a football tshirt from the charity shop, he wants to be like th children that play on the green over the road, now he does. A very happy chap.

:: A good report from school too, he is settling in well and beginning to read well:)

:: C has just weed on my hand, nice. Toilet training is going well really though, she is getting better at knowing what's happening.

:: My inlaws are visiting this weekend, I will bake a large cake, simply so that when the question comes, "oh did you make that?' I can proudly say yes!! MIL from hell.

Toys and stuff

 I find this an emotive subject, and one where our thoughts have changed somewhat over the years.

  The children have lots of family, that they see regularly, and consequently have been spoiled at times, such as birthdays and Christmas. Even polite requests for something small, handmade or preloved, still amounts to a big pile of stuff new or old.
 I am slowly getting round it, the older children love to have a few pounds to save or spend on treats, and it's easy enough for family to give if they wish.. With the little one it's harder, people feel sorry for her i think, as the house is not brimming with plastic. She does have everything she needs though. Really. And she is a busy and happy little girl. I think that we still have too many toys. Reading waldorf essential toy lists, we have more than most.
 We have never had any tv type toys, ie teletubbies, peppa pig etc, or clothing for that matter. I was not  allowed any itv or disney as a child, and it seems to have stuck in me. Even as a new mum at 21 i charity shopped the pooh bear outfits and teddies that we were given.  L and A ,however, did have plastic in the beginning, and lots of it too.
L had dolls and ponies galore, noisy ones even. A had power rangers and playmobil. Then we found waldorf and a big clearout was needed indeed.

 For A, we have kept his ikea bin type storage drawers for now. they are quite empty though. He has  his dinosaurs, schleich knights and animals and bucket of cars. The cheap plastic bits, useless cars and trucks, and action figures have all gone. It was easily done, we let them have a boot sale, with us paying the pitch fee and they kept their takings. He even offered up his castle of doom, the army men,  a playmobil plane and pirate ship, much to my delight. He made over fifty pounds! 

L was less keen to sell off the sylvanian village that she has been collecting since she was three. I agreed to this as I loved my sylvanian as a child, but on the day of the sale she decided to sell a few buildings and just keep the grand hotel and bakery, plus about a hundred figures and lots of accessories. I tell myself that one day they might be worth something as a vintage collection!

 The ponies, barbies and plastic dolls all went though, and she made about £80.

They each put some in the bank and then they bought a lovely farm kit to add to our small collection of Lego. So now the bedrooms are a lot clearer and feel much nicer.

A list of the toys we have now, most of which are kept in the downstairs play area, with the bigger bits rotating the bedrooms as they are being played with.

The girls each have an old wooden dolls cot, with plenty of blankets.
Two bought handmade waldorf dolls.
Three small mama made waldorf dolls. I hope to greatly improve this craft!
Small wicker pram for little C
A basket of schleich animals, plastic I know, but the quality is ok and wooden are so expensive.
Wooden rainbow.
Daddy made wooden treehouse
Large bucket of wooden building blocks
 Two skipping ropes, long myriad ones for French skipping.
A small pull along for little C.
Three hobby horses, two bought one mama made
Wooden ice creams and crochet cakes
A wooden pirate ship and nice old wooden car with driver.
Playsilks, and soon to be a dad made playframe.

I think that is it. Everything has a place and is neatly packed away each day. It's much easier when toys are reduced. I do have a few fisher price plastic toys from the 80's that I can't part with, including the telephone x2, and two boot schools, I'll have to post a picture they are so cute. But like my large collection of original ladybird books, I can't part with them!

somewhere to play...

Yesterday I planned to take little c to the music group that we went to last week, unfortunately it was cancelled. She was looking forward to seeing the other children and going out so we ventured, again, to the village toddler group.
it was so noisy when we arrived, and full of over threes who as expected were full of energy on a windy wet day. Little C stood quietly with a shocked look on her face, she wasn't scared, but not exactly happy to be there. There was no rhythm or direction, just chaos and mess. Needless to say, we will not be going again. it did confirm to me that I would like to take her somewhere. I'd love a forest tots type place, but don't think I have the time or energy to set on up, especially as C is our last, so it's not something she would use for many years either. I can dream. we came home and played 'mud and water' in the garden kitchen, and had a Good ole bounce on the trampoline so she was very happy in the end.

Right now..

:: I've been browsing ralvery for inspiration for a new project. I need to get back knitting.

:: Today our lovely playsilks arrived. They have had lots of play already and right now are lined up with the tea set on, a picnic on a rainbow!

:: We attempted to make egg shaped candles, it all got a bit messy so we will try again tomorrow!

:: Tomorrow we will go to market in the morning then housework before a long walk I hope.
I also have soup to make for school on saturday, and a cake for the weekend.

:: we had a very strange dinner mix up, roast chicken with lemon gravy. Rice, purple cabbage and broccoli. It was gobbled up, but a bit odd. Is rice and gravy ever right?

:: This weekend we are quite busy, with a family birthday celebration on Sunday. I'm making the girl m&m cookies in a jar, but need to get the bits tomorrow for it.

:: We have been given a Herman cake mix today, having failed at it before, ending in a mouldy mess, I do hope it's better this time as the kids are full of hope!

Right now....or today anyway!

My mum, sister and I went to a craft fair today, we delighted in all things crafty from wool to looms and fabric galore. I came away empty handed despite being tempted by lots of beautiful spun yarn, my mum and sister did make lovely purchases though. Little C was a bit of a monkey, I stupidly took the buggy thinking she would graze a goodie box that i'd packed quite happily for a couple of hours. No such luck, she wanted out immediately, and being the baby of the family she got her own way! Then she wanted backie, but I'd not packed a sling so she became stroppy and over tired. She really has turned two in every way!
Oh well, lesson learned, no more leisure shopping for her if possible.

Back to rhythm tomorrow, I like Fridays as I take C to a little WI market for veg and baked bits for the weekend, cake and sausage rolls usually. Then we usually have a long walk with friends and pick the others up from school after lunch. I need to fit in an Aldi shop somewhere too before the weekend.

So now...

:: I'm looking at the lovely cockerel that A has knitted by himself at school this week, I'm amazed to be honest.

:: C just woken up and decided she is not ready to sleep again yet, so is dipping sourdough bread in to a little oil. My treat is now being shared!

:: Masterchef is on, I usually get it on iplayer, it makes me hungry hence the above snack, but I really like it this time.

:: I'm thinking about midwifery and getting the books out again. It will be tough year but I need to get it finished for all of our sakes.

::my lovely whitestuff leggings have a hole in, I live in them so can't complain really

::c is dropping off on the floor now. It is funny but when she catches me watching tv, she looks at it with such amusement that I almost feel bad for not letting her watch any. We went to a sing song toddler group yesterday, it was all a bit odd and like watching cbeebies, but in real life. The lady had a lovely voice but whined in a singy tv type of way and had a box of tv character props. Not sure if we will go again. Not many of my friends bothered with toddler groups third time round, I would like to but finding a place where it's not mayhem or too crunchy is difficult. I don't really fit with any I've tried.oh well we are quite happy I suppose.

Babywearing

I love to carry C in a sling, it really Is lovely to have her so close, and safe and able to see the world at eye level. Our journey to slinging has been long though...

The Bjorne carrier we had for L in hindsight was useless. She was never comfortable and didn't sleep at all in it. I understand a bit more about carriers now and can see that it offered no support and was very uncomfortable to wear too.
 I hate to see little babies in these, facing out like they are on a roller coaster ride.
The beautiful elevill and didymos wraps that I now use to wrap little C in are so much nicer. Even at almost two she still asks for a backie cuddle, and usually ends up sleeping min there. It took a bit of mastering, and I started off with a moby stretchy wrap, but now we have moved on to wool and cotton wraps and it's so much easier. We also have a couple of tie up type carriers, they are fine, and lots of people love them, but I prefer woven type wraps here.

Now that she is getting older, and we mainly use a couple of size fives, Im reducing my stash....slowly as they become very precious to a mum!

Speaking of stashes, now that I find myself with real free time fir the first time in years our playroom is  becoming more of a craft room. This suits L too as she is such a prolific sewer, knitter and general maker. She would happily do it all day. So we have a little space to stash away yarn, threads, fabric, old jumpers, bits of felt and fleece. It's lovely, but now we rarely throw anything and the pile of things to up-cycle is starting to topple. I do find it so satisfying to place a lovely fat quarter in to the basket. The colours are so pretty and almost too nice to use

Maybe there is a midwife in me...

I've decided to get it finished! I still need to call my lecturer and sort out a time plan but as much as I want to stay with the kids, I need to think of the future. one day I'll need a job, maybe sooner than I think, and this will give me something on paper worth having I hope.
I'm still incredibly passionate about midwifery and helping women as much as I can. It's not always easy in a hospital setting to be a true advocate, but I need to accept the small things that I can offer to matter. Be it a fresh tea for a flagging father, or a hand hold when doctors need to intervene.

I do feel excited about it all really!

Trying a right now...

Some of the blogs i. Read do this, I think it's a great way to keep a little record of more simple little things, funny things the kids say etc...


:: it's piano night tonight so we have a simple tea. cod in tomato sauce, mixed veg and mash.
Cake and custard for pud at supper time.

:: little c used her pusher spoon again tonight and loves it. She is now having mummy milko for her pudding!

:: A is upset as he can't find his love hearts (?)

:: L is washing up, with cal giving her a lesson on how to do it well, he will not be able be able to teach her to drive!

:: Little c has now got up and is playing with my iPhone, they really are sponges at this age, she knows exactly how to unlock it!

:: we have a waitrose easy cook meal for tonight, with salad, it looks yum too. I might have a pimms.

:: the dog has ran off to see my uncle again, I need to walk over and get him soon

:: I big haired my hair this afternoon, it's nice and swishy:)

:: the washing basket is nearly empty, this is a rare thing considering we don't use a tumble drier!

:: we have Lego everywhere in the lounge, it's very tempting to vacuum the whole lot up.

:: I'm feeling very unsure what to do about university. It's now looking like I could finish my thrd year from September, if I don't then the five year limit set by the nmc will be up. This means now or never but I don't think I am ready to leave litte c again yet, as it made me so down last time. I need to decide tonight.

Miss Claudia is two!

Our gorgeous, funny, monkey loving little baby is two already.

This morning we all awoke to glorious sunshine beaming through the windows, just as it did on the day that she was born. On a thursday, weighing 9lb 4oz.

 I can't believe her wonderful birth, at home in our bedroom, in a warm pool happened two years ago. It seems like only yesterday that she made her way in to the world. We did it together, and i really felt every turn she made before she entered the world. She came quietly in to the water and i caught her myself. The midwives were fantastic, i was very fortunate to have chosen a midwife that i respected from my placement, and the second midwife was also good friend of a friend.

They knitted and chatted while i laboured and, when the time came, they game me the support i needed, allowing cal to have a big part too. It was perfect. 

She breastfed very quickly, and i did not need repairs either this time. How different to L's traumatic instrumental delivery, and A's slightly easier but in low risk hospital birth.

Having such a nice final birth experience ( assuming she is the last as planned!), is wonderful, following L's birth, each birthday i had looked back to that terrifying day woefully. C's birth has changed that, and it all seems much more positive now. It maybe that i'm just happy to have achieved what i wanted so much. Anyhow, to the celebrations......

                                                      Her birthday chair and crown

The celebration ring

A simple cake.

She really had a lovely time, and the beautiful sunshine made it feel like spring.

We had pancakes for breakfast before cuddles and presents. L had lovingly made her a knitted chicken, and a finger knitted neclace and ring. A, kindly wrapped an old cuddly of his for her. From daddy and i she received, Emily and Daisy book, a wooden blunt knife to help me prep veg, a badger figure as she loves them, and a red riding hood cape that i made a few days ago. Cal is planning to make a playframe for her too, hopefully this week.

We had a little teaparty later, just close family, but as this includes six childen, plus mine, it was not a totally calm affair. They played well together though, the young and old, for ages in the garden kitchen. We all had a picnic tea outside by the fire pit, before playing pass the parcel.

She then opened gifts from the others, lovely playsilks and a nana made jacket. A vintage silver spoon and pusher from greatgrandad.Cant wait to try that. A fantastic sock monkey from auntie izz and fairy wings and a puppet from the cousins. Her favourite thing , however, was the tin heart tea set that my sister bought. She knew exactly how to use it and quickly made us all a brew!

We then watched the stunning disk of wedding photographs that my sister had brought to share.

There was a little pimms drank too. ;)

back home.

Well we are all unpacked, and have had the usual return home from hoilday treat of a takeaway supper, tonight fish and chips.
Everyone loved centerparcs, and although we have been a few times, it seems to still tick all the boxes and nobody was bored. We swam lots, its inclusive of the price afterall. We did not do any racquet sports or the high ropes as little c is too young to take part, but old enough to have a strop if she can do the same as the others!
  However, A loved the rollerskating disco, and they both enjoyed the paint pottery workshop, as well as lots of cycling about with little C in her 'bike house' as she called the trailer. Im so tired now though, the packing for swimming and drying everthing out has taken it out of me, with a bloody heavy cold too, im happy to not swim again now until summer.

              The little jug that i painted,  i need to get a picture of L's lovely fairy and A's plane.

 Little C's birthday is now upon us, so i have a teaparty to arrange, cakes to make, quiche for the grown ups, and cal is hopefully going to make her a little playframe  to go with the lovely playsilks i've ordered from a mama on the greenparent forum. Her birthday crown is finished, i'm pleased with it although it's a bit small so will not fit next year, will post pictures on the day of her wearing it.

Swimming with sniffles

Little C and I are well and truly sniffly. She is coping very well with it, despite the hideous green slugs she has running down her face. I am less happy, I hate colds so have been taking hep sulphur remedy to try and improve it. I may resort to lemsip and vicks soon!

We arrived here at centerparcs mid morning, collected our bikes and to a nice, albeit chilly, ride down to the sports bar. The kids had a play, we all had hot chocolate before heading back to find our little house.
cal needs to work this week, so we had to have wifi, this meant an executive lodge, and it's lovely. I even have a jacuzzi bath and super rainforest type huge shower head. The lasagne that I'd made yesterday, unfortunately was dropped by A, so had to be scraped of a layer to ensure no bits of pyrex dish were eaten. It was fine though and as everyone was very hungry after a good session at the pool, it didn't last long.

The kids are asleep,at half seven, so not bad. Little c has a cot in with us, I'm not sure how she will take to it, having only slept with us, but the bed here is not big enough for the three of us really so we will see how she goes tonight.

We listened to audio cd of the witches on the way here, it's a few hours long but the kids just loved it, and it was nice to hear it with some different voices too, I'm a boring reader apparently.

Tomorrow is pancake day, and considering there is a pancake house here we may have to give it a go, other than that it's cycling, more swimming and slides and a roller disco in the evening. Happy days!

Spring in the air..

                                                    pancakes with maple syrup and cream, and a little star pattern that i found and had to try, id use a stronger glue next time, but i think its very cheerful.

I've been reading blogs and forums for ideas for the spring equinox, we don't really celebrate the seasons enough here, so I hope to plan something a bit special to see in spring this year.

We managed to get out into the garden again this morning, following a hugely unhealthy pancake breakfast for the kids and muffins with chorizo and poached eggs for us!
The sun was shining, and although chilly, I grabbed the hammer and a few old bits of wood, and nailed together a sort of play kitchen for little c. I think L was amazed to see mum doing a dad job too. They all played out there for ages, with an old camping kettle and pan, sand and some spoons!

Cal cleared the drive of leaves, and I hope will find time to clear out our filthy car too, before we head off to centerparcs tomorrow, He has started cooking roast chicken now though, and told me to relax in the bath whilst C has her nap, so the car may have to wait.
I need to find a quicker way of uploading pics to here as they take forever at the moment, and work out links too, there are so many inspiring things online that I'd like to share here too.

Yesterday, L had a lovely afternoon, she made us barley bread to have with soup then finished her Egyptian tapestry and drew the most wonderful Egyptian god, Ra, and pyramid. Then the unthinkable happened, I managed to clear it away with the pile of baby scribbles in to the bin! If that wasn't bed enough, Cal decided the paper should be burned so by the time we looked for it in the bin, it was on the fire! She was devastated. It really was the best independently drawn thing she has ever done. She ranted and hurled abuse at everyone, eventually getting sent to her room. today, she has attempted to draw it again, it's not as good, so she is unhappy again. C has now scribbled on the new version too, that's going to really finish her off.


This evening s to do list..

Iron today's wash
Pack everything for everyone
Work out how to fix bike carrier to car
Make lasagne for Monday eve. ( bolognaise already made)
Finish claudia's birthday crown,as she is two next Sunday!!
Pack craft bits to make her a card and knit dolly dress whilst away.
Wash and big dry my hair
Shave legs ready for pool at cp, find cossie too.

I will do what I can, but a pimms and grazebox will be consumed during call the midwife first!