A couple of pics

The swimsuit -come- dress. I'm quite happy with this- I've not done anything with two slippy fabrics before, and most importantly Flower is very happy and wearing it lots. The skirt fabric came in a big bundle of freecycled materials, and I suspect the swimsuit is from when she was 2-3.

Princess is pretty handy with a sling, even with a great big extra long five year old!

Expensive Fortnight

The van broke down. Quite an interesting day out really. We were heading to York when it happened, on the A1(M). Thankfully we weren't overtaking anything, and could just limp to the hard shoulder without getting hit (it just lost power). The motorway makes you a priority recovery for the AA, without having a baby and two smalls with you. The girls had spells of being anxious and scared, but it was fine in the end.

Mo picking up the van.

Picnic by the motorway, on the safe side of the crash barrier while we waited to be rescued.

Rescued. The AA van could sit 4 of us across the back comfortably. Wow!

The mechanic looked at the van when we got somewhere safe, but it wasn't fixable so Mo also got the job to take us to the garage of our choice. He needed a mandatory rest break, which was just perfect- Rainbow was just getting restless when he had to stop at Hartshead Moor. The girls needed a run around as well, so it just made more of an 'experience'.

Instead of our planned trip out, we had a consolation trip to Eureka instead. A nice walk home and (as we'd planned our day out properly) tea cooked by the oven on timer by the time we got home. Quite an adventure really!.

What was really lovely (no idea what is normal for these things) but the garage had our gearbox reconditioned, and we picked up the van before tea the next day- I expected it to take another day to have the gearbox done at least, let alone fitted and the van running again. The vans distinctive rattle has gone, and the gear changes are smooooooth with a new clutch too. Ah well, these things happen.

We've had the house roof looked at as well- we now know why the room is damp, and it'll be fixed when there's a long enough dry spell for Lee to mend it. It'll be good to get it fixed, but it'll cost.

We got the gas bill too, but least said about that the better.

These things come in threes, don't they? DH reckons living in a caravan was even cheaper than he thought at the time!

I'm learning to use stretchy fabrics. This is a first attempt. The sleeves are how Princess wanted at least!

All the children had fun in their den!

Princess cooked a fried egg and took a picture.

What are these big girls up to?!

Last weeks Victoria Sponge (Flower helped)

A weeks sourdough bread. FLower helped with a bit of stirring, but bread is a bit boring these days. It takes a few days to rise in the colder weather, so I started it Monday afternoon and it wasn't baked until Wednesday morning.

Big sister still likes to sling her brother. He's a bit wriggly and bouncy these days, so not for long.

Flower greasing the cake tins for todays sponge cake. She is modelling her new hat- her design, a bit like a Victorian mob cap I believe (only in crochet, bamboo yarn)

Licking the spatula is an important job.

We don't always use our own carved spoons- today I used one we bought from Sharif at Spoonfest last year. Its a lovely spoon, great for scraping lots of mix out of the bowl (after this pic of course!).

Todays cake?- I suppose I'd better get a picture!

Busy, Really

I was talking to a friend the other day, and didn't think much had happened this week. However, I think I was in a bit of an exhausted haze and unable to think clearly (in my defense, I had to head to bed when we got home, and later went back to bed for 12 hours!).

We've had some of the usual  free play. It seems to involve more and more writing these days, from both of them. Daren't mention it though, I don't think they've noticed!

The K'nex has been rediscovered. And Rainbow is very interested in anything he can grab- we're officially evolving our baby safety with a baby who can lunge an amazing distance.

 Princess designs I think.

The girls love being read to. 

We got a set of 'I Wonder Why....' books from the Book People. They've not wanted to read them for about 5 months, but they are suddenly utterly fascinating. I really enjoy how the girls find things in their own time, and their own pace.

For once I can't see anything wrong with my wrapping!

 Its lovely Rainbow will go to sleep on my back, and let me concentrate on the girls, or get on with something else. Reaching to turn on the sewing machine does usually disturb him though, sadly.

Great Grandma cuddles

Great Grandma is doing really well, and quite sprightly in her own home. Rainbow is getting a bit heavy for her, but they both seem to enjoy each other.

The girls had a fab day in a local play gym, with friends. I learned yet again, the noise of these places can really wear me out, especially after 3 or 4 hours. It was great chatting with friends though, and a lot warmer than the park.
We fit in a visit to Eureka this week. Our timing wasn't great- school groups 'take over' a lot during the morning, (especially when visiting with littlies) but next time we'll go about 2.30 pm- its lovely having the place almost to yourself, as the school kids all leave about then.

First sit in a high chair out, and first slurping of apple

 The dungarees I've been making are finally finished! I had a lot of pressure to get them completed yesterday, but despite the rush Princess is pretty happy with them. There are a few bits I wish I'd done differently, and I'm happy I've learned a lot about how to do various parts. I still get a bit confused with final construction of different aspects, but I'm getting there.I'm a bit frustrated at the poppers and fastenings I can get locally, I'm going to have to investigate online bits as these are letting down the finished item- the girls are struggling with the poppers I've used on both these and the trousers for Flower.

 I haven't another project ready to go, so its a trip to Fabworks tomorrow so the girls can choose fabrics for some dresses they want next. I'll be looking out for some fleece to do hoodies, as I have a pattern coming soon. Another bonus to sewing class is reduced price patterns from one of the main brands, so I'm looking forward to them.

On a different topic, I must have mentioned my 'new-to me' magimix...

Its fabulous. 

celeriac, red cabbage, leek and carrot coleslaw

Chocolate mousse (don't be silly, that didn't last long enough to photograph!)

bread crumbs for fish fingers, so I'm told

homemade mushroom pate on sourdough rye bread

I don't use the Magimix for bread, I'm fine mixing that by hand, but homemade mushroom pate (link goes to the recipe mine is roughly based on- I use cream instead of cottage cheese) is amazing- I've only had supermarket version before, and this is much better. Princess has also met blades of mace- she's not seen that spice before, and she did a great job grinding the little bit needed for this. I don't use it often, and forgot how aromatic it is.

The girls are enjoying  helping with the magimix, and it means they can do a little more- they aren't so keen on grating (I'm a rubbish person to learn to use a grater with, I usually cut myself so they are understandably rather wary).

We are expecting a death in the family- One of the fish isn't looking so well.

I'm a little surprised it survived the night, but it is still swimming a bit. No idea what is wrong with it, but we've had in depth conversations about death in preparation. It was a bit intense yesterday!

We also had a blast of 'home edding'- the interested questions.... It happens that way sometimes, a couple of days of playing and wham! Two hours of complex and detailed questions. So, we now know a lot more about Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, that some people were (and are) treated differently just because of skin colour (Princess remembering Amelia King, who wasn't initially allowed to join the land army in WW2 in this country because of her skin colour- thats on the  Wartime Farm programmes), which continued for DH into swastikas (ancient and modern), Nazis, Germans being on the other side in both first and second World Wars, Prince Philip being Greek,and woolly mammoth hair (30 cm long on top, up to 90 cm long elsewhere).

Phew, I'm exhausted just trying to write it down. Looking at it, this isn't even a week, its only 5 days. I think we have actually been rather busy!

Slowly catching up

They're all growing up...

So fast!

Even smiling for special people

Four yr old learning to carve at Spoon Club

others at Spoon Club

even a hot drink. Marvellous.

artistic photo by child

absolutely rubbish back carry attempt

proud big sister and friend

not learning, honest, in Kendal

Dressing up makes everything such fun

He's big. Not 3 months old and unable to fasten 6-9 month clothing, even in a disposable nappy.

Not learning again-Malham Cove. They really want to go back.

Daddy's carving put to good use

 

face paint and a sling

 Yesterday we played with face paint. Today Big One didn't want to make breakfast, but did want to try wearing Little Man while I did that for her. She really enjoyed showing off her baby to her friends- slinging him for 45 mins in the end!
This is a costa rica hoppediz ring sling conversion for those who are interested- DHs favourite sling from Little One.
 I got to enjoy some hands free time knitting in the park- fresh air and sunshine all round- makes it all that little bit easier.