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