A week in pictures

lamp shade for dolls' house

Another week has flown by. A week closer to Christmas. I know this mainly because all three girls have been coming home singing the songs they have been learning for their nativity plays. (The Baby Cheese-us features quite a lot again this year.)

A lot of Marmite on toast has been eaten, mainly by me, although I have succeeded in corrupting the girls into the ways of it.

bowl and spoon with breakfast 

`Rachael's Makes' continue to be as prolific as ever. This was waiting for me on the work top when I got back from the school drop off one morning.

icing conceals the burnt bits

The status of the oven's health is terminal. After two months of the bottom oven being out of action due to the inner glass spontaneously shattering in a dramatic fashion one teatime (with fish fingers and chips still inside), followed by successive burnt offerings emerging from the top oven due to what we think is a broken thermostat, tomorrow is new oven day!

The biggest girl is now completely complacent about my latest purse making stint. "Oh, another purse," she said, barely looking up from her book, after I showed this to her.

On Thursday, my back felt better than it had done in ages. And so, six months after moving in, I decided that this was the day the picture graveyard would cease to exist. Never underestimate the power of a lady on a mission with a drill. Pictures up, guitars up on the wall, too - all very satisfying.

And, as usually happens in a house with children (or, at least, in our house it does), no sooner is a space emptied, it is filled with something else. But I am happy that the wheeled things have got a place to park that is not right in the middle of the hall or some other place I will trip over them.

The tree outside is now more or less naked. As shown by our front step. I have commissioned the servants to sweep regularly, but it is very hit and miss, and largely determined by whether or not they feel like doing it at that precise moment in time. 

Using some scraps from the sewing night with friends, I made a birthday card for one of them. And then made two extras. Cue miniature smug dance at a) having some blank cards ready in the drawer; b) proving to myself that even teeny tiny scraps can be used, and, being brutally honest c) saving myself money and a walk to the shop when I had remembered on the day of someone's birthday the need for a card.

Charlotte continues to be the most contented baby ever. The thumb has been the biggest break through for this, although having three big sisters to fuss over her and make her giggle (yes - the cutest development of late) is lovely too.

Saturday morning saw me and the girls doing some mini junk modelling to make dolls' house bits and bobs. My favourite one is the lamp shade, which was made from an egg box and PlayDoh (base), lollipop stick, pipe cleaner and bottle top covered with ribbons. The middle girl then added a light bulb to it, using her preferred medium of paper and sticky tape.

table, lamp shade and (matchbox) bed

More makes followed.

And after some attention from me to help with the dolls' house making, they disappeared upstairs to play/argue on where to position the new stuff.

Rachael's Makes

paper shorts

The middle girl loves making things. 

She is five years old. Being a typical child of her age, she is naughty at times, does not like being told what to do and is pretty fussy about food. Not to mention the world's slowest eater (except when eating sweet things or her favourite food, which is cheesy pasta).

But, if I had to sum her up to a stranger, I'd say she is wonderfully eccentric, funny and incredibly kind (although not necessarily towards her sisters). She is a joy to live with. When not being naughty, that is.

Her first year at school has been to her satisfaction - mainly because of the amount of freedom reception class children are offered. Although she has frequently emerged from school grumbling about how hard she has been made to work by Mrs Davidson ("I had to write THREE sentences today, Mummy!"), she regularly came out with armfuls of things she had spent the afternoon creating.

paper apron

This paper apron is one such creation. She made it in her last week at school before the summer holidays, and was wearing it when I arrived to collect her. It turns out Rachael had made an apron just because that is what she decided she wanted to make. No one helped her - she did it all by herself. Wow, I said. That is lovely. And clever.

And yet, she was looking decidedly grumpy. The reason for her grumpiness? She then had to spend time showing half the class how they could make one too.

The middle girl is an individual. And what she likes best is dreaming up ideas and then working out how to make them, using her favourite materials of paper, sticky tape and felt pens.

Over the course of the summer holidays, the house has been steadily filled with Rachael's makes. She has used the times I've been tied up with baby Charlotte to her advantage. (The downside to this is that she is seemingly blind to the mess of paper cuttings on the floor of wherever she happens to be creating stuff, and as such does not see the need to do anything about it.)

pirate shoes (and gorgeous baby quilt made by my mum for Charlotte)

The week before last she spent a whole day making paper shoes.

frog glasses (decorated with an acorn)

Last weekend was mainly about glasses.

lantern

 The trumpet was my favourite creation. Until she insisted on playing it incessantly.

trumpet

And then there was the moment she remembered her teddy Rebecca had her own superhero cape. But her elephant, Ellie, did not.

This problem was soon solved.

superhero cape

And, when she decided to arrange a party for her toys, she needed something fancy to wear on her head. And so she made a big bow, which needed a couple of adjustments for the right fit, but she got there in the end. And, more importantly to her, without any adult help.

fascinator

But I have saved the best until last. This afternoon, having been gone for a good half hour or so, she came into the front room wearing these paper shorts.

And, beaming from ear to ear, she went on to show me the pockets she had made. Genius!

Aside from wondering how to break it to the girl that her creations will one day have to find their way to the recycling bin, it also makes me wonder about how we can ensure our education system can best combine the need to teach children the things we think they need to know with allowing them the freedom to do the things they think need to be done.

I know that come next week, Rachael's new class teacher will have the unenviable job of persuading her to spend a lot more time sitting down at a desk to do tasks that are not of her own choosing. I know how hard it can be to fool the middle girl into doing something she doesn't want to do at that precise moment in time - the list of high frequency words she is meant to be learning is a case in point.

The paper shorts episode has started me wondering whether with a bit of adult input a five year old could have a stab at making some simple garments out of fabric. I gently put this idea to my own budding fashion designer. After all, if, as this afternoon has demonstrated, she can work out a pattern using paper and make it fit her body, then why not do the same with some fabric. Needless to say her eyes lit up at the suggestion.

So to get it straight. Not willing to have Mummy help her learn the big list of high frequency words she is actually meant to be learning in time for the start of term next week. Very willing to have me teach her how to make clothes because she wants to learn how to do that. Not so eccentric after all. Aren't we all like that?

Now to find some time to do it. That is, when her sisters are out of the house. Because the thought alone of teaching three small children how to use a sewing machine is enough to send this sleep deprived Mummy over the edge.

Baby Quilt Update #1

The littlest girl had her taster session at pre school today, ahead of her starting there after Easter. Why am I telling you this? Well, because half a morning of playing with toys and being surrounded by adoring Bigger Girls offering to be her personal guide to where everything was, meant she was tired out by the time we came home. And she slept!

I have lost my enthusiasm for sewing lately. Not sure why. Maybe down to the miserable weather outside, making me want to curl up on the sofa in the evenings. Maybe my mind is full of other things. Who knows. Whatever it is, I haven't felt like whirring into action and being super creative by the time the girls are down in their beds. A big mug of tea, some chocolate and whatever rubbish has been on TV has won the day.

And so, with some rare daylight sewing time dangled in front of me, a bit of hoovering and housework already under my belt (thus easing my sense of guilt at `slacking off') I found myself feeling inspired. Well, mildly more motivated than what has become the norm lately.

What you see before you is hopefully going to end up as a baby quilt for the new arrival. I've never made a proper quilt before (not sure this will qualify as a `proper' quilt either!), so am keeping it simple.

Fabric from FabricRehab

No pattern or particular plan in mind - just squares sewn together. I've got some vague memories of reading other people's blogs about quilt making and think I know roughly how to get started, and will rely on the trusty internet for help as and when I need it.

As you can see, so far I have cut out the squares - good for getting practise at using the rotary cutter (never been my strong point) and mat, and, then randomly set out the squares on the front room carpet.

I think (!) the finished quilt should be about a metre square - this has not been planned, but rather, determined by how many 11 cm squares I could cut out of the seven fat quarters of fabric I'd chosen.

I'd picked up this little tip about piles of rows with post it notes from Even Artichokes Have Hearts, who is also in the process of making her first quilt (a much more complicated and impressive looking one than mine, I hasten to add!).

My Mum is also making her first quilt, and that too is destined for the new arrival. If gorgeous handmade bedding has any sway over how well a baby sleeps (if only, huh?), this new little one is going to be a dream - a knitted blanket made collectively by some of my closest friends and a couple of quilts.

Pencil pot made out of a piece of junk mail from a garden centre

Meanwhile, with snow outside this weekend, the Blue Peter dream lives on in the house. This empty cocoa pot gave me and the biggest girl inspiration for a quick take on paper mache. Much quicker. No messy flour paste or newspaper, just some gentle cutting and sticking with PVA glue. (Am I alone in loving peeling that stuff off fingers?)

And, you guessed it, the others would like to make one, too. And so, well, I suppose we'll just have to make more chocolate cakes so we can get through more pots of cocoa... he, he.

And, far more impressive than sheltering indoors doing cutting and sticking and watching TV, are the brilliant efforts of Alice from TheAdventuresofSarahandAlice, who ran 5 km dressed as `Where's Wally?' this weekend. In the snow. Look at her blog right now. The woman is hilarious. And, although the race is over, I'm sure she'd still appreciate some extra sponsorship for the National Literacy Trust if you happen to have your wallet within easy reach of the sofa.

And the update on the seedlings (never let it be said this does not give you a gripping on the edge of your seat type of read) is that the sunflowers continue to race ahead of their contemporaries. The sweet peas have started to make an appearance, as has the red cabbage and one runner bean seedling. But Borage? Oh, you disappoint me...

The post about the cat spending a penny (or, rather, £89) and other things

Got a cup of tea ready? This is a rambling on for ages about not much in particular kind of post. Ready?

Possibly the most expensive wee ever?

Last Friday morning, the cat developed a strange new party trick. Peeing in the bathroom sink. Nice.

And, as there seemed to be traces of blood there, too, I got on the phone to the vet.

"Can you bring in a sample, please?"

"Really?!", I say (my tone of voice probably indicating that what I am actually thinking is "Are you insane?").

After a ten minute consultation, including a couple of jabs, a brave inspection of the cat's teeth, the vet sent me on my way with some medicine for her and a urine testing kit so I could return with a sample as requested. Oh, that'll be £89, thanks.

If ever I needed confirmation that the cat has well and truly slid down the pecking order in our affections with each child that has entered the house, this recent experience has done just that. Not her fault, but the whole experience made me thoroughly grumpy at the time. Particularly shutting her in the bathroom to wait for her to perform in the litter tray onto her (very expensive) non-absorbent litter granules so I could then be gassed by the stench before diligently sucking up a sample using the dropper thing. As our feline friend normally does all her business outside of the house, I was until that point happily ignorant of quite how much cat wee stinks.

Thankfully, she seems not to notice the drugs I have been lacing her food with, and is back to her normal self. Fingers crossed she doesn't live up to predictions and have a recurring water works problem, or else I will be seriously grumpy.

In other news, my current courses are going along really nicely. Monday nights are all about making little gifts for children (this week it was simple gathered skirts in funky prints with camper vans all over them) and Wednesday nights are all about cushions and big bags in some pretty Cath Kidston fabrics.

Much as I love being able to spend a couple of evenings a week sharing my passion for sewing with others, there is a downside. It often introduces me to even more fabric temptation, as I coo over the goodies the ladies turn up with for making their projects.

For instance, just a week ago, I was unaware of this beautiful specimen (Mrs Bishop, you have a lot to answer for!). After several days of pondering, and dreaming (yes, I do sometimes dream about fabric - doesn't everyone?) of Roman blinds for my new bedroom made with it, I caved, and a parcel has just arrived. The money spent was less than that on the cat and will (I imagine) provide me with a lot more pleasure in years to come as I sit in bed and drink my morning cup of tea whilst enjoying the sunshine streaming through the windows (still dreaming).

As I have done no sewing of my own this week - beyond the proud act of sewing some swimming badges onto towels for my three little girls (yes, even the littlest one who screamed her way through the first half term of her lessons, needing to be peeled off me and dropped into the pool has earned a badge) - here are some pictures to chart what I have been up to.

Monday morning baking BEFORE SCHOOL.

Partly due to necessity of what to put in packed lunches after a busy weekend when you are due to be doing the supermarket shop later that morning...

...it turns out these last minute `Roly Poly Pizzas' as I have called them are "the most delicious thing ever".

If I ever bother to write this up as a Food Top Trumps contender, I think this could be a winner. Nothing fancy that I didn't already have in the cupboard, and made in between mouthfuls of my bowl of Weetabix, this has been a huge hit.

Perfectly runny boiled eggs for lunch, with sparkly Marmite soldiers. Need I say more?

Chocolate cake making with the littlest girl hovering, ready to enjoy the spatula licking pleasure alone as her sisters are at school.

My gamble over winging it without greaseproof paper failed miserably. Readers, please note, butter is not enough to prevent Devil's Food Cake sticking horribly to the bottom of the tins and refusing to come out in one piece.

Much butter icing was needed to cement the crumbs together.

Still, I am taking this as a positive. In times gone by, my inner perfectionist would not have allowed this cake to see the light of day - let alone be offered up to friends coming round for a cuppa. Now, I am content with the pretty sparkly butterflies on top and the hope that the cake will probably taste good anyway.

Not since baking with my Nan has a cake ever left the tin in so many pieces. Baking was not her forte, but she still had a go whenever she was looking after me, albeit with fairy cake kits where you just needed to add milk and an egg and some nice rice paper decorations at the end (always the best bit).

Which brings me on to my next nice thing about the week. Games!

Bedford locals - the bottom game was £1 from the brilliant Emmaus Village Carlton and has all the bits. Cheap toys and a scrumptious cafe that doesn't break the bank either. Get. Yourselves. Down. There. 

My Nan had a cupboard full of games like this, and was always willing to spend several hours playing them with me.

I would love my little girls to enjoy playing these games too - not least because of how much I enjoyed them, but, also, because I can see this as paying off for me in terms of the potential to provide them with something fun to do without too much involvement from me in the times when I am a bit preoccupied with a house move and a new baby on the way.

Connect 4 has gone down well with the girls. They seem to get it. Although quite a bit of coaxing has been needed to stop them each in turn throwing a strop when they lose.

"The next person who loses graciously and says `well done' to their opponent will get a house point," I said. Great. Two smooth rounds of Connect 4 followed, each ending with the middle girl angelically congratulating her big sister. Then came the third round, and the biggest girl pausing as she was about to win again, and turning to me. "But I really want a house point," she said.

Hmm. Good point. I am not exactly sending the right message here, I thought. Okay, if you can all play the next few rounds without me needing to intervene, you all get a house point. Bingo. Worked a treat. Not sure where the fine line between bribery and rewards for good behaviour is, but I am happy with that. Maybe in another universe somewhere there exist similar children who can play games nicely without such bribes or fights, but house points seem to be working for now.

And, keen as I am to find ways to get them picking their stuff up off the floor (as, quite frankly I have had enough of attempting to reach down to do it with a big baby tummy in the way), I am giving out house points like they are, well, very cheap little sticky dots that come in packs of 1000 to be stuck onto their charts.

Small children don't get economics. They don't understand that it is no different for everyone to get three points for completing the tidying up or to just get one. But this week I have realised they whirr into action really quickly when they think they are getting three. So I offer them three. It has made a nice change from being grumpy Mummy threatening them with The Bag of Doom for all toys still on the floor at the end of the day.

We finally finished the pigs!

It took a lot of self control to not step in and assist with the painting process. Especially when the ears on the littlest girl's pig just kept getting bigger and bigger.

But aren't they lovely? I think the sight of these bright pink pigs on our windowsill is a lovely one. (Still not rushing to repeat the experience of paper mache with three small children, though.)

Sun flower update: Day 8 and we have the first signs of life!

And, thank goodness, there are (just) signs of life on all three of the pots planted by the girls on the same day. And everyone who knows anything about small children will know how important that is.

Bye for now!