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!

A Poorly Week

Big Girl has had a bug this week,so we've been a lot more sofa based this week.

I was realising that learning doesn't stop with sickness though, no excuse with not being well enough to go to school! We have been reading a few social history books from the library, when she's been awake. DVDs of   different aspects of farming, how its changed since the second world war,  filled more sofa time for her.

Before she was poorly she decided housework was fun, and vacuuming was what she wanted to do.

Flower has wanted to do 'something' without Princess, but we've been at a loss of what- neither of them have wanted to go to the different activities we've been regulars at, and its a bit hard to find something for someone who doesn't want to do things.Anyway, we found an activity group for her to try that Princess is too old for, and went this week. She had a great time, so looks to be on the calendar for a few more weeks at least.

Pancake Day had Flower taking the lead, helping make the batter, pouring it in the pan and then letting Daddy do the hot bit.

We went to our usual home ed group, but planned to leave early. Though, with the snow coming down quick, so did everyone else. Too many germs for much playing out in it this time. A bit of guacamole making went down well, even with a birds eye chilli in it!

I managed to finish writing an article I've had in mind for a while, that may even get published if I'm lucky- fingers crossed.

 We've been putting together a few different historical eras, so we finally have the homemade timeline that's been in my head for a few weeks. Princess has been rather interested in World War Two and Victorian times, but doing 1 cm per decade means the Ancient Egyptians are half way across the kitchen, despite starting at the front wall of the house!


DH had a night out wild camping with friends ( they use hammocks rather than tents, that sort of thing), which was the first time he's gone since Rainbow has been with us. Sounds good fun, and Princess can't wait for warmer weather when she and Daddy can wild camp together. I'm happy we coped just fine without DH (that wasn't a given!).
Since he got back I got a little time with a rough idea and one of DHs old t-shirts, and a few hours later Rainbow has some new trousers. It almost worked as I hoped- I cut out the back pieces back to front so the old logo on the front just adds a little colour to the bum, instead of being legible across his backside. Ah well, its a good start, and there's another T-shirt in the ragbag to try another time.

So, this week has been pretty quiet really.
Half term approaches, so we'll be avoiding the crowds and just joining in a couple of the extra activities on.

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!

Makings and Doings

hmmph. I've finally got the photos and I am Not Happy. This post is going to be much more a list and rather less loads of photos.
We've been busy having fun though, just not recording it!
The girls and I made some chocolate. Not just melting chocolate, but melting cocoa butter, adding cocoa, maple syrup or (whispers) 'sugar'. A friend gave us the inner bits from an advent calendar which has been a good size for a mould, but that sadly has broken beyond use so it might be worth investing in some.

melting cocoa butter....but not keen on the photo!

We've had a month off refined sugar, which has been going well enough that we're continuing. We have days when we will have it, like a birthday tea party, but generally sugar is off the menu. This helps make eating out unattractive- actually facing cakes and processed food is a bit too challenging for us without careful planning. Our favourite cafe is out of bounds as we can't resist Nancy's amazing baking. However, it should help with other costs- I bought a second hand magimix last week, and Rainbows next carseat means we spent up last week!
The magimix has already been put to good use- whizzing up mushroom pate (I never knew it could taste sooo good!), meringues (for the birthday tea) and, now we have the ingredients, coleslaw in hopefully a fraction of the time will be back on the menu.
The carseat is something I'm reserving judgment on just yet. Its a bit of an adjustment to get used to the idea that an impact pad is safer than a 5-point harness, so a 9 kg baby is safer with an ordinary seatbelt fastener rather than a special harness. I've contacted the manufacturer (Kiddy) for further information, as we've been sold this without an instruction book and it looks a little big for Rainbow, but we need something as his head is sticking out the end of the infant carseat.

I've been having fun with my sewing class. I don't need to say much, as we do have photos of Flower's trousers:

I had to beg to have them back to take to sewing class when finished, so I'm happy. Two charity shop shirts and a few hours time put to good use. I feel I need more practice doing trouser flies, and I really should practice with a zip, but that is what sewing class is for. Dungarees for Princess are work in progress. Hmm, pencil cases might be good practice. I feel another visit to Fabworks coming on!

we had some snow, I love how it built up on the washing line

He can sit up in his grown up high chair for a few minutes, if not too tired.

Weaving, by me and Princess. A first attempt with the round frame turned into a coaster for Susan The Midwife

He loves supported bouncing

Pastel artwork- not mine

Lots of paper cutting, tidying , Princess is particularly enjoying vacuuming at the moment. We also have something new in the form of Reading Eggs. I've just about made up my mind what I think of it, so sponsored blogpost with code to extend the free trial  to follow. If you are just embarking and would like the code please drop me a line and I'll find it for you :)

A milestone

Last week Rainbow did his first headfirst charge into marble (a fireplace, he's tumbled over from sitting onto lots of non-marble things :-) ) thankfully with no ill effect -that wasn't fixed by mummy milk, anyway.
This week he's got his first cold. Boy, is he miserable- we've had our first repetitive bouts of screaming and crying- that milk sadly doesn't fix, it just starts him off coughing when he's sleepy. He's fine, well enough for a little smile at a friendly face, but not the laughing contagious giggles we've become accustomed to. He's even managed a 2 hour nap - absolutely unheard of, but then the girls don't often play out for that long and leave him in peace.
He might be under the weather, but while playing he ended up moving himself about a metre across the floor in a very short space of time. He can't crawl, doesn't know how to roll, but he can still move himself- arrghh. We are going to have to get another level of awareness of 'things dangerous for Rainbow' pretty quick.
This cold means rougher nights though- he would normally stir a little, sleep feed and not really wake until morning. The snot means he is woken by coughing each time he's in lighter sleep, which is fairly horrible and has him screaming lots of times in the night. Which means I'm not sleeping much either.

I'm loving that Rainbow is growing more interesting, so much more personality and much more interactive. I'm shocked at how quickly time is passing by, how he's changed so much in such a few short months.
Life is utterly brilliant, exhausting and full at the moment. I don't think I've felt happier and more tired. We're not doing anything amazing, but having two adults at home full time is brilliant. Homemaking  while home edding (for us) is much more than a full time job for one- with two of us sharing it we get little chances to have brief spells of 'me time'. Its amazing to live it, feel it and realise that what makes being a parent so hard so often is generally the lack of another pair of willing hands. Its having the time and energy to do things, like get the house up for sale, having homemade lasagnes stashed in the freezer, important things that otherwise wouldn't happen yet.

It felt so different when I was home full time while the girls were tiny, and DH worked part time- the balance was different and the amount of energy it took from me to keep things ticking over was draining. I suspect DH may be in the more draining role at the moment, from his having to take the lead while I was pregnant and ill- I haven't taken on everything I had been doing in the past. But that seems ok, I take on different aspects of activities with the girls, and I still have a lot of energy wrapped up in Rainbow. I can see very clearly that if DH was working right now, that I would probably be swathed in depression, and probably be desperate to return to work. Being pulled in such different directions (heck, just one child can be too many for my mental health at times!), I feel I really can see why so many mums have some level of depression. I have a very supportive, hands-on DH, a wonderful neighbour/friend who the girls love too, as well as friends we see most weeks who keep us sane. Sometimes the dark side can seem pretty near, and I feel I have wonderful support around.No wonder parenthood, usually managed by one at home at a time, can be such a struggle.

I was reading another mums account of how its hard meeting the needs of other children, running the home, a DP out at work and a baby who needs a quiet place, a stationary mum for an hour a time for a feed- and how impossible that is for that Mum. My life is very different,wouldn't suit many,but I'm thankful that I can make space for Rainbow to nap on my knee, feeding when he needed, for 2 hours. That he doesn't always have to fit around everyone else all the time (yet!). It might not be exactly what I plan to do for the afternoon, but everyone else's needs were met, my needs (apart from the loo trip!) could keep. I had a great productive day a few days ago and got a weeks worth of fun stuff, list ticking jobs and activities done, so an afternoon centred on baby seems pretty fair. A quiet few hours for Rainbow, just when he needed it, seems to be helping him fight his germs.
 Don't get me wrong, sometimes I resent it to the gills, I feel so trapped.  I have learned over the years to say to DH when I'm starting to struggle, state what I need (usually an hour or two without anyone touching me). I definately feel more 'touched out' in a morning after a busy night feeding, which often feels invisible 'work', compared to the practicalities of laundry washed, dried, sorted and put away, the mechanics of washing up. I enjoy these tasks sometimes for the visible productiveness- I have actually DONE something today that I can touch and see.DH seems to quite like them too, or maybe its just an obvious chore. I have much less competition for vacuuming, thought Princess has been doing a bit of that recently. A healthy growing baby is my other task, but he is there all the time, I don't see the growth -well, the growing out of clothes suddenly hits me one day, its not a daily something I can see for myself and take satisfaction from all the time.

I've got back to my sewing class, which has been a huge step for me. Its a couple of towns away, for 2.5 hours. I hadn't left Rainbow for that long until the first class. I couldn't leave him too far away either- the family drop me off and do something or visit friends a town away, so it is only the 2.5 hrs. I am ready to leave him for this, but only just. I marvel at how I could leave the girls for longer at a younger age (though this was with our trusted neighbour/friend) and how I thought it was ok, and the reasons I could leave them...but I guess my parenting instincts have evolved. It took a bit of thought, and the realisation of my class starting soon, so Rainbow had his first hour with our neighbour the week before my class started. It was very odd realising this was the first time we had left him without both DH and me, but te time was right for me, I could do it without worrying. It was much easier to load the van with furniture without having to keep an eye on him, and I found it reassuring Rainbow was with his big sisters who are so helpful and caring with him.

Hmm, this is a bit more rambling and thought-full than usual, I might have a rethink and delete later.

Happy New Year

Belated  Seasons Greetings from us. Life is lovely and busy and very, very full these days. We're definitely busy living it and not recording it! This is nearly 2 months worth of photos. I don't know if we hid the camera for a while, but I was surprised to see we've had a couple of weeks without taking a single picture. Wow. I didn't know it was possible with photo-happy Flower in the house! 

Rainbow in the 'disguise' Princess was given in some homemade crackers friends made.

We are very lucky to count Purple Pixie Crochet (her blog) in our friends- Princess has this beautiful snug hat made for her birthday by her- Thank you! She does enjoy slinging her brother- I'm not convinced he always enjoys it to the same degree....

We've had a flying visit from friends who are normally at the end of the country. I'm very glad they have managed to visit us (we didn't manage to get away down to visit when we hoped last year, but hopefully we'll do better this year).

Who's the boss? I'm really not sure!

Christmas Day with family was lovely.

They are all growing up quick.

A Frugi Christmas present Princess is very happy with. She has another hedgehog top from them that is a few years old. Its still a favourite but definitely too small. I don't think Flower is allowed the old one yet...

Sometimes babywearers move in packs. We celebrated the new year with a walk and meal with friends. A rare photo including me- Rainbow is on my front.

Rainbow is growing up and getting interested. The last few weeks have seen him discovering toys and sitting up a little on his own. He still does a fab face plant though!

I've been back at the sewing machine. I've got a sewing class coming up, so I had a practice at a quick top for Princess. You remember the hedgehog top above? Well, I tried to remember how to take a pattern from an existing item (we did this in my class a few years ago) and had some fabric left from nappy cover making back when Flower was in them. Its a lovely soft stretchy fleece. I've not tried sewing a stretchy knit before, so it has been- um,  interesting, but she's happy with it.

Its a nice simple shape and I'm looking forward to getting some tips on improving next time.

 I've also started some trousers for Flower, using fabric from a couple of extra-large charity shop cotton shirts. I need some help with the construction, so hopefully in class I'll get them finished.
Ah yes, the class. This'll be the first time I leave Rainbow for more than a quick errand. It should be fine, but I am a little anxious, seeing as I've not managed to express and he's never tried a cup or anything- he'll have to wait for me. DH and everyone will be quite nearby just in case, but he can go  few hours. Sometimes.

I've not stopped knitting- I've been adventurous and started adult toe-up fleegle heel socks. This is definitely a huge project. It'll be a very long time before i have a pair.

The girls have been helping bake bread, making pictures, bits of sewing, looking at craft kits from Christmas, been interested in a bit of science (today its been solutions and crystal growing). Princess was given a kit to make raw chocolate, so we we've been experimenting with that and tasting the difference between cacao and cocoa- what's an 'a' or an 'o' between friends! We have pets, much to the girls delight. Two fish were being made homeless (complete with tank and food!) so we didn't mind taking them in. Handy to get the girls used to creatures dying, if nothing else.
 When the snow arrived a snow woman was made, Princess has been better at mental arithmetic than me (admittedly that isn't hard), and sneaky reading has been happening. natural history/wildlife  has just finished, and many talks about death, mortality and illness after a very local serious car crash- every trip in a vehicle means driving through the crash site, so those tricky home ed 'intensive conversations whilst driving' (the majority of indepth home ed discussions seem to happen while driving, its a known fact and not just us!) have been death oriented all week.
And finally, tidying has also been a major feature this week, but of course it has to stop when there is tickling to be done:)