Recovery day.

So this tummy bug of ours has a deadly second wave just as you think you've recovered from the first bout. It's truly awful. 

Today has been full of quiet activities while I desperately try to rehydrate myself. 

Activities like painting pretty nails with DD.

Doing jigsaws with Baby D. Who insists on getting several out at once! Guess what hubby and I had to sort out during nap time lol.

And my gorgeous G-man amused me with silly faces all day. He's been very alert this afternoon and  is just starting to realise that those odd wiggly things at the end of his arms are under his control occasionally. 

X x x 

Summer of colour - week two

Sorry it's not a bugger effort this week. Last week's tummy bug seems to have a second wave, my poor washing machine doesn't know what's hit it!

 My entry for this week is a tasty little raspberry ripple cupcake. I actually quite enjoyed painting on a tight timescale as it made me over think less and just go with the flow more.

I think it's worked out rather nicely.

X x x

Why do the Random's love Kate North?

A rather lovely little parcel arrived yesterday morning. Inside was about a dozen little wrapped packages, tied lovingly with lace and ribbons.

The girls loved opening each one and discovering the treasures within.

We have been lovingly gifted with sequins, buttons, fancy papers and much much more.

We also received the sweetest card explaining how Kate had followed my blog for a little while  and knew that we would be able to put all these things to good use.

A massive thank you Kate for your generosity and kindness from all of us.

If have a few minutes spare why not pop over to Kate's blog and say hello. 

X x X

Back to normal - almost.

DD has recovered enough today to return to school, Baby D is back at preschool and it's just me and Gman at home. Time to put the house straight and reboot the laundry routine.

It's amazing how much disorder can build up over 2 days. 

I have however been able to whip up a little sleeveless cardigan for a prem baby knitting group I'm proudly part of. I've knitted it over the heads of napping poorly girls and snuggles with my little man.

Though quite how babies can sleep in these positions is quite beyond me. OH says it looks like I shot him lol

X x x

Dealing with tummy bugs.

It's 5am, your snuggly cozy in your bed having a wonderful dream about Mr.Depp.

Suddenly you feel someone tapping your legs.

"Mummy, I ..... feel.....*BRURGHHHHHH. 

oh yes! The tummy bug has hit. 

Such was my  wake up this morning. Luckily we have a few systems in place for such events.

First we have a few empty food tubs to act as sickbowls. Margerine, ice cream and takeaway tubs are perfect for this. 

We have two on rotation (one to use, one to clean). Once the bug has passed we throw them away.

Second we isolate a bathroom. We are lucky to have a bathroom upstairs and a toilet downstairs. The downstairs loo becomes the poorly persons toilet. The idea is to avoid cross contamination. Everything is sprayed with anti bac before and after toilet trips or cleaning out the bowls. If the poorly person is drinking I'll clean their cups in here  first with anti bac before adding it to the washing up bowl.

Third we wait for 6 hours without vomiting before trying any food. We use the BRAT method  to restart feeding. BRAT stands for Banana, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. 

All easy to digest, plain foods with lots of energy in them.

Forth is mummy cuddles. Nothing will make a poorly person feel nicer than a good quality mummy squeeze. It's the best medicine in the world.

X x

Summer of Colour -Week 1

 Shhhh. .. I think she's sleeping. 

X x x

Painted in watercolours and detailed in black ink.

Monday Mutterings

 DH is back to work tomorrow so I am trying to make the most of my free time today. I won't get anymore till  Thursday.
 I've processed yesterday's strawberries into a tray of strawberry puree cubes for the weaning stash. The rest will be gobbled up for tonight's desert with some crushed meringue and cream.

Dinner tonight is a double sized spaghetti bolognaise. That way tomorrow's dinner is covered and I can feed the girls in three minutes flat after the school run. It also means I can have mine in peace once everyone is tucked up in bed for the night.

 I'm taking part in the 7 day challenge on Streetbank. The idea is to offer one thing or service everyday for a week. Yesterday I offered a pair of shoes that didn't fit me, and today a steam steriliser we didn't get on with.

And I've also found time to sit down and start work on my Summer of colour 2015 entry. Week one's colour scheme is two blues and a green. I'm getting a big underwater vibe from my selection.

I will finish it off this evening once the background is dry and do a bit reveal tomorrow.

And after all that it's time to start the school run again in 20 minutes. Good thing I love being busy!

X  x x 

Strawberry Sunday

We were invited to help pick a glut of strawberries today on my parents allotment.

The girls were each furnished with a container and a.quick lesson on good and bad strawberries to pick.

They both did really well and were a great help. I don't believe for one second that all the strawberries made it home safe, both containers felt suspiciously lighter at the home end of our journey. 

 It was a lovely way to enjoy a beautiful sunny day. Tomorrow I will make Gman some strawberry puree cubes for weaning. (If any make it through the night!)

X x x

Stop and smell the flowers

Today has been rather a hectic one. 

The usual school runs, a food shop at asda, a surprise visit from Grandad and G-man having his third attempt at a hearing test. 

This afternoon I'm feeling the burn both mentally and physically. So I'm taking 30 minutes out to enjoy some tea and cake, and watch the flowers in the garden.

All the rain yesterday has tempted my poppies to bloom and they've made me smile each time I passed them today. 

X x x

Frozen Banana treats

I needed to use up some rapidly browning bananas today, whilst also creating something for tonight's pudding.

 I peeled three of the bananas and dipped them in a melted bar of chocolate. And quick sprinkle with sugar hearts and voila!

 After a few hours in the freezer they were ready to go. The girls both really enjoyed them after their dinner.
 I think next time I will try them with crumbled biscuit as a topping on the chocolate.

X x x