James is 6

Today is James birthday. 6 years old. 

This morning we were awoken by a very excitable 6 year old and Penny. We bounced (not me) down stairs to open prezzies. A crystal growing kit, anklyozord (which was a nightmare to find), bouncing T rex thing that turns into a charger and from Penny, a Star Wars Masher and a activity book. He said they were the best presents ever, so alls good.

We had Star Wars birthday cake for breakfast and opened all his cards. He got quite a bit of money. He offered it to me saying it was for a day out (cat grandma gave him money for a day at Wheelgate). He was thrilled when we said he could go to the toy shop and choose a toy, the rest will go in his bank. 

It was school today, first day back after half term. He ran in, very excited to show off his badges and tell them what he go and share his sweets out. 

Sunday is his party, a joint one with Ruth. I think I'm about sorted apart from doing the cakes. Will be relived when they are finished. 

Some of my favourite pictures.

I have many favourite photos, but these are one that make me smile. They were take a while ago now. 

 Penny, not long after I have Izzy. She is breastfeeding dolly.

This one somes up the organised chaos of bedtime. 

Fab parents evening

Over this last week we have had parents evening for Penny and James.
As expected they are both thriving in their school. Apart from the odd moments of "I don't want to go." They both go in happy and come out tired but smiling.
 Pennys teacher say she listens and sits well and is starting the read in a group and have imput. She plays nicely and gets on well with her friends. Considering she is only in there two morning she is doing well.

James was called one of the high flyers. He listen and takes everything in and when he does his work he adds in lots of little details. He reading and writing is coming along. He just needs to realise that it is ok to make mistakes as he can get upset if he think he has done something wrong.

We are really proud of them both.

Wow.

I'm feeling slightly smug this evening. It doesn't happen very often, but after tryjng out a new recipe of chicken and rice noodle soup, everyone ate it all. No moans, no "I don't like that and no poking it about. They even asked for more.

Passing the time

Since Christmas I have only had one day back at work. While I'm enjoying the time off I thought I would make the most of it by Spring cleaning the house and spend some quality time with Penny and Izzy.

However, I find playing with Penny quite boring after a while. Role play really isn't my thing. I'm more at home with James building and making stuff, but Penny has little interest in that and like it when I play dress up or Princesses, which is OK for about 20minutes. So we had started cooking and bird watching, play group and hoovering to past the day.

The Spring cleaning was going well, but instead of having the whole house beautiful and tidy I only seem to get one room sorted at a time. Currently it is the downstairs toilet. The children only have to walk into a room and within seconds it is cluttered with clothes ( why can't they keep their clothes on?) Toys, cushions, the funiture moves round different places, parts of lego makes, drawings or things Izzy can choke on stack on the windowstill. It is like living with poltergeists. As soon as James gets in from school you can follow a trail of him. Shoes off at the door, book bag on the kitchen unit, coat near the living room door. Not to meantion Pennys complete inability to flush the chain at the moment, she was fine but seems to have relasped. Izzy, not on to be left out has discovered cupboards and stuff in cupboard, namely the baking one with flour and sugar.

Still it keep me busy.

This is my first selfie. Penny was insisting that we wear witches hats. "You have to be a witch to drink coffee and red juice."

Easy sweetcorn and pea fritters.

As work is drying up I'm having to rein in the food budget a bit, this way we can still do nice things with the kids.

Yesterday, Penny and I made a lunch of sweetcorn fritters. Quick easy and cheap. I thought I would share the recipe.

1 can of sweetcorn
Handful of frozen peas
100g plain flour (we use Self rasing gluten free flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
150ml milk (lactose free for Penny)
Salt, pepper anything else the flavour

Drain the sweetcorn, discard the juice.
Mix the flour and baking powder in a big bowel.
Add the egg and milk and mix until smooth.
Add the sweetcorn and pea and mix.
Oil a frying pan. When hot spoon a blob of the mixture into the pan and turn when brown. Easy. The whole thing should have taken 10mins but I had Penny helping so it took much longer.
You can freeze the cooked fritters, add chilli, or paprika, pepper, carrots anything left over.
We eat them just with a bit of tomato sauce for Penny and sweet chilli sauce for me. Then had them as a side with the gammon for tea.
Definitely one to do again. I think they cost about 60p to make and I made 10.