More new additions and Introduction to TADCAM

As if our menagerie weren't large enough, our oldest daughter is always 'finding' new pets for us, Gerald Durrell style ( if you have read My Family and Other Animals you will know what I mean).

So last week we found ourselves to be the proud owners of an aquarium full of tadpoles. As she, thankfully, has been researching how to create an environment in which the little things are likely to survive, we were only subjected to 6. Also, before you ask! They are from our own pond, which is pretty deep so I'd rather they weren't hanging around it trying to observe the tadpoles in their natural habitat every 5 minutes. Particularly my accident prone 2 year old. 

I find them fascinating, but lets be realistic, any pet an 8 year old brings home is basically going to be looked after by the adults minimum 80% of the time. Also, she mysteriously has homework whenever it comes to cleaning tanks etc as I found out when we used to keep snails. Funny, she never mentions the homework at TV time, or when the weather is sunny, or at the weekend.

Now our wriggly little friends are living the high life in the kitchen, and I will keep you updated as they grow into tiny adorable, slimy, escapy (supress thought) froglets.

TADLOG 1

Tadpole Status: black blobs with "evil eyes" apparently. Long tails, little wiggly nubs where the legs will be

Food: boiled lettuce chopped fine and frozen daphnia which the man in the fish shop conned me into buying advised me to feed them

Where Cats and Children Intersect

I currently own two fur babies as well as three human ones, and the similarities between them astonish me. 

They all demand food from me as soon as the dawn has appeared with NO REGARD for the clock. I lock the furry children in the utility room at night because I became jaded at the sound of someone scratching up my bedroom carpet at 5.45am. But that only buys around 30 minutes extra sleep because at about 6.15am either someone will creep into bed blaming 'bird noises' for waking them or someone else will take out my eye with the corner of a book they NEED reading to them. No amount of ire has so far deterred them. 

They are all emotional wrecks. Most children have a sleepy time toy and mine are no exception, but even my cats have a security blanket! At the Rescue Centre we were provided with a fleece blanket that 'they were attached to'. For days we were telling the children off for moving the cats blanket until we caught one of the kitties dragging it through the house in her mouth, which it transpires they do whenever they can't find someone to stand next to. 

They all love a box. No matter what size or where it is, the cats will sit in it. Or the kids will sit in it. Or the cats and kids will try to gain supremacy over it. The children will write on it, and the cats will rub scent on it. The children will leave toys in it, the cats will leave their hideous blanket (see above) in it. Eventually, the children will move on, leaving the cats to enjoy the box. At which point, I will clear it into the recycling bin. I'm not a complete martyr.

They can't resist a toilet. What's that Mum? You want two minutes on your porcelain throne? Why thank you, we'd be delighted to join you. All of us. Why wouldn't there be space for two excited cats, a toddler holding a foam sword, a pre-school astronaut princess and an 8 year old reading aloud from Beast Quest in this little room?

I'm sure there are other similarities. So far, I can find few differences, apart from the fact that the cats always eat their food without complaining, and will happily spend all day outside in the garden without requiring a push on the swing. In fact they are the ideal companion. Remind me again why I have children? Only joking, I think.

Happy Bank Holidays x

Bedroom Ideas: Wonder Woman

For some reason I keep seeing Wonder Woman related things recently. A female super hero revival is long overdue, as I am fed up of all the children at my daughters nursery being loopy about Batman and Superman. Come on small people, aren't you aware of how much choice there is? Being entirely a product of their environment, of course they aren't cogniscent of the immensity of the 'marvellous' superhero universe, so, let's help them out a bit. 

Here are my decorating ideas for giving your daughters bedroom a little Wonder Woman style makeover. It's all basically unisex and the same shop that make this brilliant Wonder Woman picture also do Superman etc so you could get several and really theme it up! I'm thinking a primrose yellow wall. And basically nothing that will be ruinous to replace when your own supergirl is "too mature" for cartoon ladies. Although that's never happened for me. How about you?

 

 

1. Wonder Woman Picture ASPACE 

2. Gold Star Decorations Redwood Stoneworks on Etsy 

3. American Locker Style Bedside Cabinet by STORE

4. Super Hero Mask Age 2-8 yrs by Spotty Cotton on Folksy

5. Stars Bedlinen by King of Cotton

6. Junior Jules Desk Chair by IKEA

 

 

 I'm not being paid to write this post, it's just some shopping ideas. I have bought from some of these retailers in the past but please don't hold me responsible for any dealings you have with them, thanks.

 

 

 

 

Kitchen Volcano Science Project

Over the past few weeks we have been making a Kitchen Volcano. It is a really fun science project to do at home and also combines a little arts and craft; if you have an aversion to mess, maybe it's not your ideal project but the children will LOVE it. And there are good scientific principles behind it to discuss, so it is great for science-related show and tell, science fairs and home school projects.

The 'explosion' is caused by bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, and red food colouring, which are simple and cheap to obtain if you do not already have them in the store cupboard. You can have fun researching the reasons why it makes froth with your children (hint: it is basically a chemical reaction which produces gas).  There are a couple of different methods to making an effective froth. 

Another way of extending the task would be to research a couple of these different methods and experiment to find the best one, as I am sure that there are even more effective methods than the one we used.

A further step after making the volcano would be to bake sponge cakes - you could also then discuss why adding bicarbonate of soda to cakes helps in the baking process.

MAKING YOUR VOLCANO

I would recommend using a medium sized cardboard box (with one side and the top cut away) as a base - it minimises later mess and makes the volcano somewhat portable. 

You need: 

an empty plastic drinks bottle

PVA glue and water mixture (about half and half)

newspaper

poster paints (red, and grey or brown)

sticky tape

 

First using sticky tape, secure the bottle to the base. Then scrunch up some newspaper into balls and loosely tape around the bottle to make a mountain shape.  After this, taking strips of newspaper which you have dipped completely into the PVA glue mixture, lay them around the shape until you have something resembling a mountain. Be sure to leave the bottle mouth clear and open. 

Leave the paper mache to dry for at least 8 hours. When it is hard and dry, using paints, make your mountain a little more realistically rock like. You can add a red lava flow at the top if you like. 

 

MAKING THE EXPLOSION

You need: 

red food colour

1/4 cup of vinegar

2 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda

warm water

washing up detergent

The original method I saw for making a kitchen volcano simply states: Put the bicarb in the bottle. Add the red colour to the cup of vinegar. Pour into bottle. Stand back. 

However, my husband read that if you put warm water and detergent in first you get a better fizz. This is the method that we tried and it was OK. The children found it exciting. I would have liked even more boom, but I am not easily pleased.

On a side note, I think you can't possibly put in too much colouring ;-)

Red Velvet Cupcakes: Egg Free Recipe

If you are looking for an easy weekend bake to try with your children, how about some light Red Velvet Cupcakes? The beauty of these is that they are super easy to make, and use no eggs. I find this useful as I frequently run out of the things due to my childrens weekend boiled egg habit. Neeeeed some chickens! 

Also, if you have a child who is allergic to eggs you might enjoy this recipe. In fact, all you need do is swap out the milk for soya milk and you can have an entirely vegan cake. Yay!

INGREDIENTS:

200g self-raising flour
 200g caster sugar
20g cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4tsp bicarb
1/4tsp baking powder
200ml milk
20ml cider vinegar
80ml sunflower oil
1tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp red food colouring, paste/gel 

OVEN: Preheat to 180C/Gas Mark 4

Makes 24 fairy cakes

1. Line two cupcake pans with paper cases
2. Put the vinegar and milk into a jug and set aside for around 10 mins
3. Meanwhile, put into a large bowl the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, bicarb, & baking powder. Mix until combined.
4. Add the milk mixture, oil, vanilla and food colour to the dry ingredients mixing by hand with a metal spoon. This is fine if done by a child, lumpy is just right!
5. Spoon into the cake cases.
 6. Bake for 15 mins, cool in the trays for a little while, then transfer to a wire rack.

ICING: we iced ours with a cream cheese and vanilla icing, but you may want to modify this if you are making them for a special diet.  I completely ballsed up my cake icing and subsequently have NO photos of them because they looked icky - I have a complete blind spot when it comes to icing cakes. I literally cannot make icing, I have no idea why. So enjoy your cakes and this very nice photo of somebody elses red velvet cupcakes.

via Pinterest

How does your child name their toys?

IT's Half Term. My house is full of three screaming maniacs and their myriad sidekicks. Those eccentric characters who looked so respectable at first, yet now only ever appear naked, or dressed in borrowed finery, their hair sticking up in clumps. Most of the time when you look for them, they are either lying face down in the middle of the kitchen, or you just see their leg, sticking up at a crazy angle from behind the curtain. Other times they are all lying in a heap in your own bed. It's like being at a student party, all the time, none of the time. And the names - I can hardly keep track - they change them so often. I have often wondered what it says about the namer, this child who seems so adorable, yet insists the only possible name today for their elephant is Mr Cupboard. So I have compiled, as I see it, a guide to Toy Naming Types.

The Egotist

The earliest stage of Toy Naming begins as soon as they can talk. You'll say 'What's he called, your Rabbit?', and he'll answer with his own name. Go easy on him, he probably doesn't know any others. Besides, his is the best, in fact the only real name, right? right?

The Literalist

 Another common early name is the most obvious choice, Rabbit, Big Rabbit. Whatever. Say What You See, as the man on Catchphrase says, Say What You See.

The Lisper

Probably the cutest versions of early naming are the mispronounced ones. These often stick because enchanted adults insist on repeating them and perpetuating them. We know that our lisping darling will soon be back-chatting us or at the very least telling us we are wrong with nearly every word, so here's to retaining  that childhood magic one 'Babu' at a time.

The Copy Cat

The older children get, especially once they are at nursery and having play-dates, the more the influence of other children creeps in. At least now they begin to know and remember that many possible names exist. I have seen many toys renamed at this stage either because the little friend has a favourite toy with a cool name or because the little friend needs worshipping and Bingo! Big Rabbit is now Lucy. I also know a lady whose younger child named his special friend with the same name as his older brothers toy. Imitiation is the sincerest form of flattery?

The Clever Clogs

This naming trait lasts until adulthood. You know that guy with a cat called 'Chairman Miaow'? He has this. It's the classic 'class-clown' desire to have everyone think you are clever and funny, and toy naming is a first attempt to exert this. Usually there's an element of parent baiting in it, but go easy, after all, playing with words and language is great for literacy! Unfortunately pre-school humour being what it is, Mr Cupboard may well be replaced with Mr Poo Poo, and they'll be crying with laughter as they tell you. Literally.

Gradually the toys will all settle into time-worn names that seem to work. A name sticks, be it Rosemary, Bappa or Croc Croc, but one thing is for sure. You will keep finding them under the refridgerator, wearing Barbies swimsuit as a glove, no matter what their name.

Saturday is Caption Day

I have long been a fan of the Saturday caption game you find over on Mammasaurus Blog

It's very funny. Click on the link to see a linky with other contributors. What caption can you give mine? 

How wide does my mouth need to be to fit this cake in completely?

Busy Birthday Weeks

Just wrapping up (ha ha) on the craziest two weeks. Why does everyone share January as their birthday month? It would only be fair if February was Mum's Holiday. But it isn't, so here's a quick run down of why I am tired.

WHAT I ACHIEVED

WHAT WE WORE

plus some adorable but sadly undocumented costumes, including Merida (plus ginger wig) Baby Knight etc If I can raid my husbands camera I will see if he captured the Merida one because she even had a bow and arrow, it was brilliant.

WHAT WE DID

Did I mention, eat?

Hope you all are looking forward to a happy week ahead....... My plans are to be as unproductive as possible!

Lx

Party Bags: 8 Ideas to break the tat cycle

With three kids, all of whom have birthdays, I find myself dwelling on the party bag conundrum more often than any sane adult should be required to.

Even if you aren't living in competitive mum central, there will still be some expectations placed on you regarding the *ahem* quality of the take home items. Children are the worst critics in some senses, as what they usually want is a plastic bag stuffed with sweets and those cruddy toys that break after a nanosecond, often in the car on the way home. I refuse to waste my money on those bags which usually cost way more than you think they will once its all totted up, and basically embody everything thats bad (IMHO) about modern toxic disposable "kiddy kulture".

OK I said it. Phew.
*dusts self off*
*climbs down from soapbox*

Here are 10 ideas which are in no ways wildly environmental or progressive, but might make a nice change for your kids teeth and in some cases, also to your pocket. If you are really savvy, you'll be checking the stores at sale time and getting yourself even more bargainous bargains.....

1. Books. The book is my first weapon of choice as you can buy for almost any age or theme. If you check out the collections and bulk sets at online book retailers such as The Book People or Red House, you will be able to get a lovely book for each child at hugely reduced prices. There are also discount bookshops where similar deals will be available in most larger towns. Wrapping makes it more of a present but isn't vital.
Age = Any
Cost per child = £1

Jessie Willcox Smith

2. Playdough. Almost all kids love playdough. For a party bag idea, you can buy bulk packs of small pots or bagged rolls online. A couple of colours and a cutter (also readily available in bulk) inside a paper bag is a cute gift they will get hours of play from. If you want to make it more of a themed gift why not decorate the bag or write a leaflet giving some themed ideas to pop inside?
Age = 3-6
Cost per child = £1.50 approx

3. Cookie Mix. You've seen those cookie mixes in kilner jars in the shops, exorbitantly priced, right? Actually it's an easy thing to put together, you can have your child help you, and it is certainly cute. You will need to include a lable with cooking instructions, but thats where you can theme it etc. We recieved a jar of cookie mix like this, with a cutter tied on with the lable, lovely red polkadot ribbon, Minnie Mouse on the instructions, very sweet.
Age = 3+
Cost per child = £2ish depending on your jar, whether you include a cutter etc

Via Pinterest

4. Balloon and Cake. Yes, that's right people, just a balloon and a slice of cake. For children under 3, I propose NO party bag. They have had a great/confusing time already. They aren't meant to have sweets, they can't even unwrap them themselves.  Give the kid a helium filled balloon on a shiny ribbon and send them home sticky and ready for a nap.
Age = under 3s
Cost per child = cost of balloon

A very pink cake!

5. What they made. If you are thinking of having a craft or cookery party, they may already be going home with plenty.

6. Craft Kit. There is so much available now in bulk from lovely craft shops, that if you are in any way craft inclined you might enjoy putting together a little craft kit. Keep it simple, not everyones mother has 40 hours to assist them with knitting, but otherwise, do what you know best. As with the Cookie Mix, you'll need to provide instructions and also remember to tailor it to your audience. If you like the idea but are short on time, check out online craft stores like Baker Ross or Hobbycraft for good deals on pre-made kits.
Age = 3+
Cost per child = depends, but I've previously snagged kits in the Baker Ross sale that came to less than 75p per child.

7. One themed toy. Like the book, one themed toy is really just striking a blow at the plastic disposable mess usually found in party bags.
If your child is having a jungle, dinosaur or horses themed party then you dont even have to think about this one. You could even display them in a fun way as part of the party decor.
Age = any age
Cost per child = variable. If you buy in bulk, you might get it in under £1.

8. Costumes/hats. This idea is more of a pre rather than post party gift, and has significant cost or time implications, but you could really go to town with this idea! Ideally suited to a character party, the notion here is to create (or purchase...) a costume element for each child.
Some suggestions:
Pirates - striped bandanna and scar tattoo
Cowboy - neckerchief and sheriff badge
Princess - cone hat and fan
Fairy - wings and wand
Knights - helmet with plume
Age = any age. It works well at adult parties where everyone has 'forgotten' thier costume.
Cost per child = its either £££ or time cost. You decide.

Children's Craft Ideas: Fantasy House

Now Autumn is truly here lots of rainy days present themselves asking to be filled up with simple, easy to initiate things-to-do.

I thought that I would share with you a recent activity that has been entertaining my children for hours, which is basically your average cutting and glueing exercise, but maybe also fuels the young/old imagination a bit! 

You need:

Large piece of paper with a house outline drawn on - either by you or your child depending on the age. Add some floors, wall divides or encourage them to do this.

People - you can print out favourite characters from CBeebies, cut them from magazines, draw them yourselves. In our pictures you will see the family from a Milly Molly Mandy Book which we enlarged on the photocopier.

Furnishings - here you need old magazines, catalogues or furniture pamphlets. We also like random bits of fabric, scraps of coloured paper, glitter glue etc.

Glue
Safety Scissors
Coloured Pencils/Crayons
Talk!! This is a great activity to give for them to get on with alone, but if you talk with them about what they are doing and ask their opinions on the house layout etc you will have some delightfully screwy chats I guarantee. 

I hardly need add instructions, apart from to say to any perfectionist adults out there - don't let the kids rampant disregard for scale and domestic order upset you too much! A bath in a tree outside, doors on the roof, birds in the lounge, it's all good - take a deep breath, and admire the finished fantasy dwellings......

Make It! DIY Cat Toys

As much as I love my little cat guys, I do resent how much one might pay for a cheaply produced cat toy, if you went out to buy such a thing. Our kittens love to play, like the children do, with boxes, the wet washing, jingly things etc, but to prevent them destroying the house (that is, both children and cats) sometimes toys are a good answer. 

To welcome my new cats home, my children and I put together some simple cat toys we have had endless fun with.

We made two types of toy, a Cat Wand and some Mice.

CAT WAND INSTRUCTIONS
You need a range of ribbon, or scrap fabric strips,
craft feathers (or collected from garden?),
string (here we used out string from the veg box),
a bamboo cane
and some sort of ball. This is an old golf practice ball, which worked very well.

MOUSE
You need some more scrap fabric
a piece of string or ribbon for tail
some stuffing - toy stuffing/wool work best but you could also add some catnip
sewing kit

I have made a sort of pattern to download free here. Apologies for scrappy hand drawn-ness of it, I don't have the correct software or know-how to make a better one....

Foodie Friday: Delicious cakes as easy as ABC

Another favourite recipe here at Dolly Towers is the 'ABC cupcake' which was given to me, by another parent, as a fail-safe variation on Banana Bread. I can't imagine many children will be able to resist these, and they are moist enough to not need any topping, which keeps them healthy enough to be suitable for lunchboxes. Which is of course my thing at the mo'. 

Why ABC? Apple, Banana and Choc Chip, of course!

ABC Cupcakes
Makes 12

110g self-raising flour
75g brown sugar
20g porridge oats
1 egg
60ml milk
60ml apple juice
60ml vegetable oil
100g ripe banana, chopped (about one whole medium banana)
50g milk chocolate chips

Heat the oven to 170 degrees .
Line a muffin pan with paper cases.
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Put the egg, milk, oil and juice in a jug, stir, then add to the dry mixture.
Add the choc chips and banana, mixing in roughly.
Spoon in the mixture to the cases.
Bake for around 20 mins, until well risen and golden.
Stand for 5 mins then transfer to wire rack.


Happy eating x

Make It! Fun Peg Dolls

We love making peg dolls! The ones in this tutorial were made by myself, and my sweet girls. They did a great job, I hope you will agree.

What you will need:

Old fashioned wood pegs. I got ours from a craft shop.
Acrylic Paint
Paint Brush
Cocktail Stick or very small brush
PVA Glue
Scraps of fabric and ribbon, buttons etc

Also useful, a shoe box/lid you can slot the pegs onto to dry them upright.

TIPS FOR CLOTHES

To fit the skirt better, sew a running stitch around the central hole before you put it on the doll.
You can cut out little collars etc to add to the dolls, and embellish. Just use lots of clear drying PVA and it's not very hard. Although your kids will get very sticky.....

I have entered this in the Pinaddicts Challenge this month, because I have been pinning Peg Dollies like crazy lately. Come look at my Dolly Daydreams board on Pinterest full of dollspiration!

Defeating the Holiday Boredom Demon

Warning this is long - but there is a useful free download near the bottom so persevere!

Almost as soon as the Summer Holiday begins, I start hearing a terrifying moan; 'I'm Bored!'. 

Without the strict and predicatable routine of school, my children, suddenly oppressed by the choices available to them, do NOT know what to do with themselves. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and spending time with them, but all three of them, all day? For 6 weeks?! Some days they don't get on with each other, and some days they don't get on with me, but then, some days we all love each other and rainbows come out. Also, on those days, bluebirds do my dishes.

If you have a teenager, or small someone with very keen ideas about what they what to do, that is GREAT. Pour a Pimms and watch them go about their business. Mine, on the other hand, hang around in my peripheral vision making weeping noises, waiting for me to switch on an interactive whiteboard. Of course, this summer, you hopefully will manage to leave the house on a few days out, and if you are very lucky, relatives will take the children for some of the time (!). Then there's the possible week/fortnight family holiday. That still leaves a looooong time to occupy them. 

It isn't going to be pretty, unless you roll up those sleeves and tackle the issue head on. They do need some guidance about what to do, and some freedom to play like children are meant to. You know your own child. I have both the lovely 'reads all day' kind, and the less lovely 'take your eye off me I want to unleash hell' kind, so I have been playing about with some ideas that enable me to suggest and support activities that also encourage creativity and free play.  

I have found that a small amount of preparation and planning at the beginning of the holiday can go a long way. Make sure that the games, play equitment and toys get a good sort out so you all know what there is. My favoured early holiday activity is a trawl for the charity shop box and ritual throwing out of broken toys and old drawings/work. Our problem is we like to keep all our old pictures! If you do this clear out the kids are bound to have a better idea of what there actually is to do.

Sign Up for to your local library. This year The Reading Agency is offering a great reading challenge called Spooky House for all school kids via the library service. It is free and the artwork is all done by the excellent Chris Riddell. Check out the website, there's also a writing competition and lots more.

But! There will still be plenty of dull moments where you are trying to pull washing out of the machine whilst being gnawed by a toddler when your hollow eyed tweenager appears in the door way and you hear the wail 'I am bored Mum!'. Don't PANIC.  Just whip out the Emergency Toolkit bag and (breathe) suggest an activity.

My Emergency Tool kit is: 

A small bag of preprepared cards, which you are welcome to download if you want

Any supplies I will need to fulfill the promises on the cards I have made. If you use my cards you will need playdough, a bag of collected junk such as you might be planning to recycle (boxes etc), a few extra baking supplies, paints, glue, blankets, a ball, dressing up stuff, plastic dinosaurs. 

AND a 'bonus' box with a small item in it. You can replace the item each time the box is opened. I might alternate between unexpected snack foods, drinks, vouchers for 'read a story/play a game' with mummy, or little toys like a bouncy ball etc. Doesn't need to be something you spend money on. 

I hope you find my attempts of use, or at least, consolation. I hope you have a fantastico summer. Don't be surprised if I hardly blog over the next few weeks, but I will be back!

Bon Voyage!

------------------------------------------

In case of problems: Here's the link to my Boredom Cards again on Google Docs. Sorry about the duff formatting I am NOT a whizz at Publishing! 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1tRFCeVuuQ1eFhmd0JvQXJpTFE/edit?usp=sharing

Little Baking Bags

Just thought that I would show you some of the things that I have been working on recently. 

A few weeks back we were invited to a double birthday celebration, so as I am on a never-ending quest to find good birthday presents that don't cost me sqillions of pounds, I tried a different present idea. After making some little personalised drawstring bags, I purchased some child sized spoons and rolling pins from the hardware store, and a lovely cookie cutter each to co-ordinate with the bag. I hope they liked them! Strikes me that you could do this for any hobby - drawing - crafts - cooking - petcare and buy a few inexpensive fun items to put in a similar useful bag. These had a felt initial stitched on by machine but if you aren't very confident with machining around curves you could hand stitch these on easily.