New Year. New Look

I've had an old dress that I love the shape of but hate the beige colour.
Tonight, I finally got some red dye and changed it for good.
It was really quite easy...Dylon washing machine dye. Great stuff and fab result.

I've eaten my house!

Many people say they are the size of a house after Christmas but we have literally eaten our house.

Sad it is gone but it really was scrummy.

Button necklaces

I've got two button necklaces that I practically wear every day. I love them. I thought I'd try making some for my sister and a few friends.
Hard to get the hang of but I think I've done it.

Personalised Russian Dolls

Tilly loves Russian dolls. This summer we went to a friend's house who also had Russian dolls and we discussed how cool it'd be to have a personalised set.  A quick eBay search and purchase gave me two blank sets and Christmas presents were made for friends. What  other Christmas present could you give which is so personalised and gives such a talking point? 

Audioboo: What do you want for Christmas?

Mums and Dads what do YOU want for Christmas? Coventry Children share their excitement about tomorrow morning and also tell me what their mums and dads want for Christmas.
Audioboo: What do you want for Christmas?

Things Tilly Says: dad fail

"We're not having much fun yet" yes we are "no, you are just sitting there and I am climbing on the settee" #dadfail

Audioboo: Santa

It is Christmas Eve, the night when Father Christmas comes. . . so it's time for those kids again, talking about this magical time of year and the big man himself. Have a giggle.

Audioboo: Santa, by 4 & 5 year olds

Gingerbread house

For the last four years I've made a gingerbread house, it has kind of become a family tradition. The first was very basic, the second and third similar. Tilly helped me decorate last years and we put a decorated Tilly & her best friend Niamh outside. This year I thought I make myself have a challenge by making a replica of our house out of gingerbread. First, I made a cardboard mock up (which would also form the shapes to cut around for the parts). It also helped me work out how many pieces I'd need.

Next, I rolled out the gingerbread and cut the right shapes out. I'd learnt from previous years to re cut the ginger bread as soon as I took it out of the oven to get sharp lines. I melted chocolate to use as the 'glue' to stick the walls and roof together.

Then for the fun part. We decorated with chocolate buttons, candy canes, chocolate fingers, jelly tots and it was done. I was so pleased.

What is more it *really* does look like my house. .. .hurrah.

and so now, the challenge really is on for next year. . . what ever shall I make?

Audioboo: nativity

I asked some 4 & 5 year olds about the nativity, they told me the story & also what present they'd have brought Jesus.

Audioboo: The nativity according to children

2 boots

It has nearly happened many times but this morning on the school run I looked down and saw this. Oops.

Things Tilly Says: Dribble

What have you drawn on the wall with? MY DRIBBLE.

Reindeer pops

I saw these on Buzzfeed and on the same evening we'd been given a letter from school asking us to send in snacks for Key Stage 1's Christmas party. i couldn't resist making them.

They were a little fiddly but soo cute. I couldn't find any pretzels to I used Curly Wurlys but they were a bit heavy so they were really hard to stick. Marshmallow dipped in chocolate. Tiny edible pearls for eyes with a dot of black food colouring added for the pupil (after pearl was stuck). Red Skittle for the nose. Curly Wurlys cut for antlers.

They were a hit at school too.

Things Tilly Says: Rudolph

Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight....tooohooo Bethlehem

Boyfriends. . .already

So, this evening Tilly casually told me about her boyfriend at school. In equally casual style I asked what she meant, he just kisses her and rubs her hand. When I asked how long, she rolled her eyes and said ages, since 15 years ago. Duh!

Spoilers: nativity angel

Getting spoilers for Matilda's first Nativity play tomorrow evening x http://audioboo.fm/boos/1106951-ks1-nativity-song

Audioboo: trails for Christmas

If you fancy a giggle. . have a listen to these lovelies to get you in the mood for Christmas - they are only 50 secs each.


Audioboo: Santa is coming

Audioboo: How does Santa get down the chimney? 

Audioboo: We three kings of Leamington Spa

Witch picture

This morning T was quietly drawing on the blackboard...I know I'm biased but isn't this amazing for a 4 yr old?

Things Tilly Says: Snoring

Shouting from upstairs in bed "Mummy Mummy, I can hear a word like snoring"

Children in Need

Tilly had a wear it spotty day today for Children in Need.

Face painting: Christmas lights switch on

For the Christmas lights switch on, I thought I'd play with my face paints. I'm quite pleased with this one for Tilly.

I tried to do a little snowman on Mima too but she, unsurprisingly wouldn't sit still. . .

I think Tilly liked hers. .

Wheelgate Park

Today we used up our free tickets to Wheelgate Park, which although was a little weird was a great laugh.

Things Tilly Says: Sometimes

Watching Bedtime Stories "Are you perfect Tilly?" "let me think for a minute"....."sometimes"

Movember

Pumpkin cat

Face paints: Witch

As these were such a hit at Tilly's birthday party, I decided to make for her school's bake day.

Things Tilly Says: Christmas cards

Looking at the school charity printed Christmas Card t brought home "I'm going buy lots of these it's lovely" "Daddy I can't draw many more"

Gramophone

We had an old gramophone which I decided to spruce up a little with some decopatch paper, some gold paint and some brass feet.

First Disco

Things Tilly Says: Mouthwash

Talking to me while I used my mouthwash. Daddy why is it two colours? *spit* Didn't you like it?

Warwick Fun

Things Tilly Says: Carrots

Today we had carrots for a snack...I didn't eat any...I told my friends & my teachers I just don't eat them unless I've got hummus

London fun

Things Tilly Says: Hide & Seek

Tilly & Niamh playing hide & seek.. N counts to 10, T only counts to 4, N tells her no & asks why. T: 'cause that'll take all day.

Tilly's first day at school

Argh, it has finally happened. . . my big girl really IS a big girl and started school today.

Things Tilly Says: Little chats

I love my new bag, I'm going to keep it forever. I'm going to take it to work........ *mutters as she leaves the room* Well, that's the end of that little chat.

Nursery letter

Tilly's last day at nursery and this was the bit that set me off.

Happy 1st birthday Mima

Things Tilly Says

pondering buying new shoes. 'oh Tilly, I haven't got anywhere to wear them' T: well, you can either wear them on your feet or on your head

Went to the pank on mi bike