Meal Planning Monday- 30th April

 OMG Its actually May tomorrow - where has this year gone. Roll on another few months and it'll be my birthday!

Due to last week being the stretch before pay day we stuck quite well to the plan though me and Neb had some chips from the Chippy on Thursday. One think I will mention is though flat chicken is not great without eggs to get the breadcrumbs to stick on with.

Sunday, we had a great roast and crumble courtesy of the Wi family in their new home. It was the best fun we've had for ages and we will definitely be doing it again. Wi, Car wants to know can we have a sleepover!!

Anyway meal plan for this week will be hopefully as follows:

Monday - big shop night - so haven't really decided yet!

Tuesday -  Potato Pizza, Salad and Coleslaw (this is basically baked potato, then you mix up tuna, cheese, tomato before adding it to them and then grilling them)

Wednesday - Fajitas (but with turkey for a change)


Thursday - Bacon, Cheesy Mash and beans (girls), Bacon and Tomato Risotto (me and Neb as he's got Welsh)

Friday -Italian Chicken Bake - which Bel saw in my Good to Know magazine (it comes from a recipe book that I have my eye on so I may buy it later this week!

Saturday -?? hopefully we can have a day out so maybe some chips!

Sunday - Roast something

I'm on the look out for some simple meals that will fill the kids up and feel that the stuff we are doing is the same old thing so please if you have any ideas let me know.

I've also been baking more than usual and they've had fairy cakes and rice crispie cakes in their lunch boxes all last week! I'm thinking of making biscuits this week, some more cakes and some brownies

BNM

As usual I'm joining up with Mrs M's linkie! (i will add this later on as it seems that I'm on the ball for once!!)

HUUUUUUUUUG

This is to all the people who just need a hug right now.

To Emma who needs one just because she needs the baby to come out- any day soon would be great

To my little hobgoblin who I've just spoken to for the last 2hrs and whose mum has terminal cancer - am here for you babes.

To my kids who have been great and let mummy drink her cider in peace

To anyone who is bereaved at the moment


To you all, here's a hug from me.....

BNM

Lunchtime lovin'

Alright this may be a post that some of you don't want to read (ahem if you know me , don't ring and laugh!)

Anyway, you know how having kids kind of does things to your sex life. You know, like killing it.

1. Its either you've just had the baby, feel mega tired, sore and hubs wants you and there's no way in hell its happening
2. Or both kids are in school, your knackered after working a full week with knobjockeys (yes I did just say that -some of the people I work with need a good kicking or I'm off on stress!), and you fall asleep on the sofa, dribbling (that's from the mouth - before you get any ideas) and have a hubs who wants to do more than sleep and to be honest you can't be arsed!

But today that may all change!

Today we thought of a plan

Now, that both kids are at school and Neb is still jobless, he is free to pick me up from work and do things, like have lunch  or some lovin'

What don't shout at me - its meant to increase happy hormones isn't it and with the most stressful part of the year coming up for me I need all the happy hormones I can get.........

BNM

I'm normal

Normal! So after that legs wide open pose - all is normal!

Yes today my results came back.

Thankfully it all went well and I now don't have to a) check for smells and b) make small talk while nurse looks deep as now I have another 3 years to wait before the next one.

Thank you to everyone who joined in with the linky. It is still open so if you want to share your story then please do.

BNM

Say it loud, say it proud and do it

Just do it.

We all need it. We wouldn't be alive without it. We've all known someone who has used it and it can be lifesaving.

So what the hell am I on about?

Image: ddpavumba / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Yes giving blood of course. I have been a regular blood donor since having the girls and love doing it! It makes me feel that I've given something back and as blood stocks in Wales are currently at a low it also makes sense. My blood will save lives - its as simple as that.

Today though I did something more, I not only gave blood but I registered to be on the Bone Marrow registry. Something I'd looked at before but now I'm getting older I decided I wanted to do it. I can't remember if they used to give mum Bone Marrow after chemotherapy but if I could help one person, then I know I will feel great.

So, the one thing I will say today is go for it, help save a life

gets down off shouty box now!

BNM

Packed lunch ban!

What do your kid eat at school? Do they eat a pack lunch?

Well, I've just read the most outrageous thing ever, apparently we should not feed our children a pack lunch from the mouth of C rated celebrity!

My kids like am sure many of yours are sometimes fussy eaters. When Bel first started school she did get a school lunch but after weeks of her coming home starving, because she didn't like the food and wasn't like in my day forced to eat it, we went over to the pack lunch side.

Car, now also in school, has a pack lunch and she loves it. There is a no chocolate rule in school and I make sure that both their lunchboxes are healthy. Both get a fruit of some sort, a sandwich or other savoury, a drink, a yoghurt and a packet of crisps. They both come home having eaten it all! There are no tears, no moaning and yet according to him it is something that needs to be stopped.

I assume this knowledge he has are from children that he may or may not see very often (I don't really keep up with celebs!) and if he is seeing that their packed lunch is unhealthy then why doesn't he change his. I know that in this recession era £1.90 a day/child /week is a lot and to me who has to count the pennies am sure that I spend less on the girls packed lunch.

What do you think?

BNM

Cows in Action

Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Cows, they don't look that intelligent do they. They don't look as if they'd hurt a fly.

But do you know their secret. Do you know that some of them are time-travelling Cows who belong to a secret agency called Cows in Action who visit past and future all around the world to stop the evil Ter-moo-nators. You didn't.

Well, they're not all like that (or are they) but if your child is a fan of history then they can get reading the Cows in Action series by Steve Cole. Bel was lucky recently to be sent The Viking Emoogency to read.

Now being a CIA fan she loves the books and read the book quickly and with gusto. She loved the history and the fantasy in the book and is looking forward to buying more with her pocket money. I would say that these are great books that make your child laugh and get them interested in history but from a different angle. Also inside the front cover there are collector cards (which is always a hit in our house!)

The Cows in Action series retail from £4.99 but I note that Amazon is selling them for cheaper than that currently.


BNM

We were sent this book to review. All opinions given are Bel and mine.

Gorgeous george

He doesn't look very gorgeous does he - poor thing! And a redhead as well (although I can tell you know that all redheads are gorgeous, not that I'm prejudice or anything!)

This book has made Bel laugh with glee. I mean there are some really disgusting bits in the book, just think brown and sticky. I know as I read it too just to see what all the fuss was about.

If you ask Bel what the best bit was in it she will tell you that she loved Grandpa Jock and George's ever mad imagination! And then the bogeys, poo and other gross things will come into the conversation.This books would I think suit boys and girls - just possibly not oversensitive princessy girls (which Bel isn't one of by the way!)

I love the fact that Bel can read, and read she does.She swallows books with the same gusto the whole family have for reading. We've had to move from one over the bed bookshelf to two now and one of these days I will sort out the big bookshelf in her room and she can use that one!

Gorgeous George &The Giant Geriatric Generator is the work of Stuart Reid. In his own interview he comes across as the kinda man you know is a funny father. The kinda man who has a Superman costume and an allergy to ties.

Carry on the good work Stuart and write another one, please, even if it means that Bel can walk around the house practising her dreadful Scottish accent!

The book is available from My Little Big Town for £7.99 as well as all other retailers (see website for details)

BNM

We were sent this book to review and all opinions given are mine or Bel's.
 

Meal Planning Monday - 23rd April

So things went kinda well with the meal plan last week. Neb managed to make the pasta sauce but we had to change things round a bit with Bel having a friends party to go to.

Monday - Sausages, Chips and Beans (using leftover sausages from toad in the hole which we had last night)

Tuesday - Flat Chicken , Mash and Broccoli (or Escalopes if you're being posh)

Wednesday - Lasagne - Neb will be cooking this

Thursday - McD's tonight, Neb has Welsh and I can't think of anything else!

Friday - Pizza tonight - possibly home made or bought!

Saturday / Sunday - no idea, a friend has asked us round for Sunday lunch and I do fancy a day out with the kids on Saturday weather permitting so!

I'm going to link this up to Mrs M's and have a good read of all the others as I think we are in a bit of a food hole so need new and exciting and child friendly recipes to try!

BNM

What to do with the kids?

With both the girls now in school, Neb has restarted to look for a job but we have a problem.

If he gets a job (no easy task in this current climate) what are we to do with the kids over the summer holidays. Working in a busy office I have booked my allocated time off and that is sorted. But summer holidays lasts 6 weeks and though they can go to their grandparents for a week that still leaves us with 3 weeks to sort!

I have had a quick look around and am astonished by the cost.

One local play scheme wants £27/child/day and are then only open for the first 4 weeks of the holidays.As I've booked the last of these two week as my holiday that would mean that we would need to pay out £540 for the first two weeks on childcare! And then find somewhere for them to go for the 2 weeks that we were missing.

I don't know what to do! I so want Neb to get himself back in the job market but am also aware that neither of us want the kids farmed out and not with us over the holidays. I cannot understand why the government cannot help more in these situations!

BNM

Frugal Fun 1 - forest walks

Sometimes its hard being the only earner and stretching the wage to meet the end of the month but with a small bit of petrol in the car you can have lots of family fun. Like the fun we had last week after returning from our pilgrimage to the in-laws over Easter. And what did we do? Well we did one of our favourite things and take a walk in the outdoors.

Walking can sometimes be boring for the kids. Both Bel and Car have been known to exclaim "not trees again mummy!" but if you make it fun then it turns out to be " a fab adventure mummy"

So, before heading out on a Magical Mystery Tour, I make sure I've packed some lunch or snacks. Recently the girls have been drinking lots of squash - lemon and lime is the in flavour in our house at the moment. So, instead of spending money on juices, I tend to keep empty plastic bottles and fill with squash. Then, grab some other goodies: sandwiches, crisps, tomatoes, strawberries and bag is ready to go.

One great place I've found of taking the kids is to the local Forestry Commission Woodlands. If you pop onto their websites, you can see which places have trails. Even though many have visitor centres, we are quite happy to go off the beaten track and find the smaller ones.

With the trails, easy and moderate are the best for the kids and me! The other day we did an hour walk with a moderate climb of 400m- the kids ran up and I slowly walked it. The trails also have signs for the kids to follow on the way round- just make sure you know what colour you are following!

We have found lots of lovely walks which we know we'll return to time and time again this way!

I'm hoping to do some more frugal fun adventures over the coming weeks before the summer holidays. So if you have any ideas then please let us know and we'll see if we can do them!

BNM

Metamorphosis

Today I had butterflies in my stomach.

Today I nearly cried when leaving the school gates.

Today my baby girl started school.

Look at her in her new classroom. Little hands clasped together (it was the start of the day). She didn't cry or cling she took it all in her stride!

This evening she is full of bubbling with the excitement of another day at school. She has asked whether she will be going for the next month. I have answered yes apart from weekends. She was disappointed there would be no school on the weekend!!

Another big step in their life, another huge step in ours. But on the plus side Neb did make the pasta sauce for dinner!! Tomorrow, I may even get him to do more.

BNM

Meal Planning Monday 16/4/12 - the back to school edition

Woo Hoo I'm on time!

Well its Monday and you'll be very impressed that I actually wrote this on Saturday! Not, the post, the list! Its all change in our house this week as my little one, Car, starts school. This means that both my little girls are now big girls!

So with that in mind and the fact that hopefully if I make the list, Neb may become more involved in the making of the suppers here it is:

Monday -  Leftover Chicken, Mash and Gravy

Tuesday - Swedish Meatballs, Sauce and Pasta (Neb is in Welsh)

Wednesday - Turkey Kebabs and Potato Cakes

Thursday - Something with Chicken for the kids and then a curry for us (Neb is in Welsh)

Friday - Toad in the hole, mash and veg

Saturday - Fish and Chips - fish fingers for Car and Neb, me and Bel have a trout to demolish!

Sunday - Possibly Pork!

 
As both the kids are in school from tomorrow on packed lunches, I need to be baking tonight to supplement their packs. I'm thinking of fairy cakes- any other ideas?

BNM

Fingers crossed and no ladders

Today its Friday the 13th and though I'm a little bit superstitious, I have managed to get dressed and have breakfast and have sent the kids out to play!

It makes me think though, why does the number 13 represent phobias and superstition. When I was in university, I lived at number 14 which was next to number 12, no number 13 there!

If you have a phobia of today and are still sat in bed in your pj's with the duvet up tight did you know that you suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia! Its a mouthful!

So, while reading about the superstitions linked with today, I 've been thinking about the superstitions that I follow (which have been passed on to me by my mother). Here's my list, maybe you can add yours on the end:

• putting new shoes on the table is bad luck
• whistling on a Sunday brings you bad luck
• throwing salt over your shoulder if you've spilt some!

And just because you need some tunes for a Friday here is the best superstitious song ever:



BNM

Meal Planning Monday

Yes, I know its Wednesday, its just we've been at inlaws!

Anyway here's what we're having for the rest of this week:

Wednesday - Fry up
Thursday - Gnocchi and tomato sauce (or pasta for Car!)
Friday - Baked potato, tuna, cheese, beans (or whichever topping suits)
Saturday - Home made beefburgers, potato wedges and salad!
Sunday - Roast something, carrots, potatoes, gravy

Simple meal plan- all will be lovely. I may even bake some cakes!

BNM

From little mouths

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/twmlabs/26381615/

"Look Mummy, the fields have been laundered", Car 7/4/12

Can you guess which one she meant?

BNM

Night Owl or Sleeps soundly!

After my moan yesterday about not sleeping due to my voluntarily babysitting of a 6month old, here is a post to help all you parents of  toddlers all around the world.

I may have mentioned (once or twice) that I'm in a book and I'm glad to invite the author along today to give us some hints from aforementioned book.
Joanne Mallon, who not only is a freelance parenting journalist, a life coach and mother of two but has the time to blog and to write this fab book.

How much sleep does a toddler need?

Some children are real night owls, and their parents are happy for them to stay up later. If you don't have to be anywhere in a hurry the next day and can compensate with day time naps then this is do-able.

You will know if your child is getting enough sleep depending on how much energy they have the rest of the time. Every child is different, but as a broad guide, the NHS recommends:

·         For two year olds – 11.75 hours of sleep at night, and around 1.25 hours during the day, making a total of 13 hours in any 24 hour period

·         For four year olds – sleep reduces slightly as children get older, and children of this age are recommended to have around 11.5 hours of sleep each night

So think about what time you want your child to get up in the morning, how much sleep they need, and work out an appropriate bedtime from there. If a child is consistently getting less sleep than they need then this will negatively affect their development.

If you’re trying to move your child from a later to an earlier bedtime, do it in stages. If she's currently going to bed around 10pm, aim for 9.30pm and make it half an hour earlier each week until you get to the bedtime you want her to have.

Alternatively, you may be one of those parents whose baby slept through the night from an early age and continues to do so now; in which case you can skip this bit. And by the way, we hate you. We hate your rosy skin, well-rested demeanour and air of contentment. The rest of us are frazzled to within an inch of our lives.

The toughest part about a non-sleeping toddler is that it’s gone on for so flipping long that the waking habit may be well ingrained, and you the parent may have had about as much as you can take. Often dealing with children’s sleep problems requires the adult to stay quite calm and not get wound up, but that’s easier said than done when you’re exhausted.

Take heart from this fact – the end is in sight. Your child has got many more good nights’ sleep ahead of them than bad. If you can grit your teeth and get through this bit then it won’t be long before your little threenager becomes a little more teenage and starts sleeping longer than you do.

In fact, they may start to sleep through whilst you’re still waking up, as your sleeping patterns have probably changed as a result of years of disturbed nights. They give, and then they take away. If they weren’t so adorable the rest of the time they’d never get away with it.

So if you are ground down by a child who refuses to believe in the benefits of a solid 12 hours’ rest – above all, take care of yourself. Eat as well as you can, doze during children’s telly hours, and make sure your partner does their share.

The book (which is fab) is available through Amazon as a normal book or a kindle version


 BNM

Why 2 will do!

Having two girls I inevitably get asked the question - wouldn't you like a little boy and to be honest no. And I don't want another baby either thank you very much. We had come to this decision shortly after having Car, I more so than Neb, especially when my midwife piped up with "When you have the next one, it'll have to be an elective C section because your thing obviously is to keep a hold of the placenta after birth!" (yes, I know tmi - but if you do want to know more Bel's story is here and Car's is on the to do list!)
I'd barely recovered from having Car so the thought of the next one made me want to scream

We had discussions and even though I know Neb is happy with his two girls I think deep down he'd have liked a boy! But, we both know that financially we are in enough debt and have major money issues now so the thought of having a number 3 is a no-no. Since, having that talk I had the talk with him about vasectomy but apparently it may ruin his manhood (his words) so that's also a no-no. I even broached the subject with his mum - asking if she'd made his dad do it but apparently not.

I can also say that even though friends continue to have cute babies (yes you Mrs C) I am definitely glad that the baby years have past us. I need my beauty (HA HA) sleep!

So what did I spend last night doing, well looking after a grumpy grizzly 6 month old. Gee, thanks. And why, so my husband and his dad (a single dad) could go and play effin pool. Yes, I'm tired and grumpy so bear with. It doesn't help that said husband and friend decided not to come home until 1am! On a WORK NIGHT.
 I cannot do this lack of sleeping doodah anymore.
I'm glad that my kids go to bed when told (most of the time anyway!) 
I'm glad that my kids eat proper food -and not just milk
I'm glad that my kids don't need burping or nappy changing
I'm glad that I can have conversations with my children and that I understand them*
I'm glad and thankful that my kids are who they are.

What about you? Are you happy with your family or do you crave for sleepless nights (you nutter!)

BNM

* that is most of the time, Car does sometimes talk at you in made up Welsh and then moan at you because you don't understand her!

Fruity Fun

When is a pear not a pear?

When it has a pair game inside it!

 

Look at its contents flow out - oh such fun

Easy pairing, lovely letters

We were very lucky to be recently sent the Pairs in Pears game ( by the makers of Bananagrams) to review and we love it!

There are many games you can play given on the sheet, plus educational games too. Car, though not quite at the reading and spelling part loved trying to make words and I love that she does recognise different letters now! We made her name 4 times (there are 4 sets of alphabets in the game, one white, one black, one lined and one dotted.

There is a video on You Tube which explains better than I can how to play it:




Bel loved the game and made loads of pairs of words (though some were rude!). We will be playing this game lots and lots over the coming holidays (especially as the weather has got worse!) and I know that Neb's mum will approve of its use.

The game is available on Amazon for £10.99


BNM

We were sent this game to review by Fuel My Blog. All opinions given in this review are mine.

Not aWOL

No I'm a tree!!

Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

No am not, I am still here honest but soo busy. Busy weekend just gone and now busy week in work before my hols.

So if your waiting to hear anything exciting or just waiting for your review to come up, please bear with - I am fighting the battle of the endless paperwork and will I promise post sometime before Saturday (fingers crossed)

scurrying off

BNM