Piling on the sofa with mum, dad and blankets is always nice when you're feeling under the weather too though.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
"Bleurgh" continued
One member of the family or another has been ill at some point during this month. It's been in succession, with the bleurgh baton being handed from one to another for much of December. Sid is bearing the brunt of it at the moment and seems to be the one suffering the most so far. I just want to hug him every time I look at his poor little face.
Piling on the sofa with mum, dad and blankets is always nice when you're feeling under the weather too though.
Piling on the sofa with mum, dad and blankets is always nice when you're feeling under the weather too though.
Happy 4th Birthday, Eddie!
You were born at 11.15am on New Years Eve 2004. The nurses ran into our room at midnight to wish us a Happy New Year, and together you and I listened to the fireworks outside and I smiled to think of all the fun you'd have on your birthdays when you were older. I couldn't imagine a better way of seeing in the New Year.
You were only fifteen days old when my nan died the day before we planned to take you over to visit her for the first time. It still makes me so sad that she never got to see you and what a perfect, handsome little thing you were.
We soon got to see the big, beautiful smile...
... which sometimes gave way to this face instead...
You loved dancing...
...until you dropped...
... and you've always loved dressing up...
You love being a younger brother...
... and an older brother...
... and you always, always, love to help ...
How did you get to grow up so fast?
Happy Birthday Eddie!
You were only fifteen days old when my nan died the day before we planned to take you over to visit her for the first time. It still makes me so sad that she never got to see you and what a perfect, handsome little thing you were.
We soon got to see the big, beautiful smile...
... which sometimes gave way to this face instead...
You loved dancing...
...until you dropped...
... and you've always loved dressing up...
You love being a younger brother...
... and an older brother...
... and you always, always, love to help ...
How did you get to grow up so fast?
Happy Birthday Eddie!
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
The best feeling in the world...
...is feeling your new baby moving inside you for the very first time... on Christmas Day.
At first I didn't take... (read the rest of the post at the "Lots of Kids and Pregnant Again" blog, here).
At first I didn't take... (read the rest of the post at the "Lots of Kids and Pregnant Again" blog, here).
It's all about the memories
We wished you a Merry Christmas. We really did. But I haven't been in Blogland to let you know, so a belated Merry Christmas to you all.
Due to sickness and bugs there were some things I didn't get around to doing. Unfortunately, the Bleurgh-fest is still going strong in our house, resulting in various members of the household needing nursing, and things in general slowing down. Despite this we had another lovely Christmas. How can it not be when you have children?!
We finally got the tree up and the children decorated it. It was Sid's turn to put the angel on top of the tree this year.
We'll never have a "show home" tree, or one that would look good in a shop window display. Instead, we're used to having a selection of mismatched decorations and baubles gathered on one side of the tree, reaching no higher than two feet up, the first foot or so will be bare once the toddler of the year is done with it.
Mike and I finished the hamper gifts we made for our parents and for the uncles and aunt from the children. There wasn't as much in there as we'd originally hoped to include but there was enough, and they looked good even though I do say so myself! In the end we settled on including half a dozen eggs from our hens, shortbread and biscotti and a clementine cake, a photograph of all the children (although not necessarily all looking at the camera), and a charity gift. Given the extortionate prices similar gifts go for in the shops we were very pleased that we'd made the effort to make something personal and proud of the results, not to mention the fact that it was kind to our pockets!
Christmas Eve was spent at my parents home. This is a tradition going back as long as I can remember, when family would gather at my parents for a huge evening meal followed by exchanging and opening gifts. I have so many happy memories of Christmases spent with my grandparents and family in general. Of the food, the laughter, and just the being together. If there were moments in time you could keep in a box my childhood Christmases be would locked up forever. This is one time I really do miss my grandparents that extra bit.
Over the years the decorations at my parents' house have become quite low key. Can you spot the Christmas tree? Yes, the presents are under it!
We return home late, by which time the children are too tired to think about anything and so are we, come to that. On Christmas morning all but one of the children stayed in bed until gone eight o'clock. Mike and I were up much earlier, not expecting they'd have such a lie in! A few hours later and Mike's family join us for the rest of Christmas Day.
Boxing Day is normally the first day of laziness after the pre-Christmas preparations. Normal cooking goes out of the window, and we make our way through the remaining buffet food and leftovers from Christmas Day's evening spread. The children play with their games and toys and we try to make some kind of order from a scene resembling a tornado in a toy shop. We still haven't managed it, with toys placed in neat-ish-but-not-actually-very-neat-at-all piles rather than proper places. We do discuss plans for increasing storage, however, which I suppose may be viewed as some kind of attempt at organisation, though granted in theory rather than practice.
So now I'm enjoying my family. Mike is off work until next week, and the children are on their school holidays of course. It's lovely to have everyone home at this time of year. Not that it's any less special at any other time, but at Christmas time, when all the rushing and work has been done, I can cherish the special days we've shared. We'll all have memories of our family Christmases in the years ahead that we can go over and share, both with eachother and however our family may look in the years to come.
Due to sickness and bugs there were some things I didn't get around to doing. Unfortunately, the Bleurgh-fest is still going strong in our house, resulting in various members of the household needing nursing, and things in general slowing down. Despite this we had another lovely Christmas. How can it not be when you have children?!
We finally got the tree up and the children decorated it. It was Sid's turn to put the angel on top of the tree this year.
We'll never have a "show home" tree, or one that would look good in a shop window display. Instead, we're used to having a selection of mismatched decorations and baubles gathered on one side of the tree, reaching no higher than two feet up, the first foot or so will be bare once the toddler of the year is done with it.
Mike and I finished the hamper gifts we made for our parents and for the uncles and aunt from the children. There wasn't as much in there as we'd originally hoped to include but there was enough, and they looked good even though I do say so myself! In the end we settled on including half a dozen eggs from our hens, shortbread and biscotti and a clementine cake, a photograph of all the children (although not necessarily all looking at the camera), and a charity gift. Given the extortionate prices similar gifts go for in the shops we were very pleased that we'd made the effort to make something personal and proud of the results, not to mention the fact that it was kind to our pockets!
Christmas Eve was spent at my parents home. This is a tradition going back as long as I can remember, when family would gather at my parents for a huge evening meal followed by exchanging and opening gifts. I have so many happy memories of Christmases spent with my grandparents and family in general. Of the food, the laughter, and just the being together. If there were moments in time you could keep in a box my childhood Christmases be would locked up forever. This is one time I really do miss my grandparents that extra bit.
Over the years the decorations at my parents' house have become quite low key. Can you spot the Christmas tree? Yes, the presents are under it!
We return home late, by which time the children are too tired to think about anything and so are we, come to that. On Christmas morning all but one of the children stayed in bed until gone eight o'clock. Mike and I were up much earlier, not expecting they'd have such a lie in! A few hours later and Mike's family join us for the rest of Christmas Day.
Boxing Day is normally the first day of laziness after the pre-Christmas preparations. Normal cooking goes out of the window, and we make our way through the remaining buffet food and leftovers from Christmas Day's evening spread. The children play with their games and toys and we try to make some kind of order from a scene resembling a tornado in a toy shop. We still haven't managed it, with toys placed in neat-ish-but-not-actually-very-neat-at-all piles rather than proper places. We do discuss plans for increasing storage, however, which I suppose may be viewed as some kind of attempt at organisation, though granted in theory rather than practice.
So now I'm enjoying my family. Mike is off work until next week, and the children are on their school holidays of course. It's lovely to have everyone home at this time of year. Not that it's any less special at any other time, but at Christmas time, when all the rushing and work has been done, I can cherish the special days we've shared. We'll all have memories of our family Christmases in the years ahead that we can go over and share, both with eachother and however our family may look in the years to come.
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Happy 3rd Birthday, Sid!
You've always been a cheeky monkey...
... and so cute...
... apart from times that the projectile vomiting at inappropriate moments got a bit much to bear...
We've watched as you've grown from a baby into a strong, active little boy...
(Oops! Sorry, wrong picture!)
... but today is your third birthday...
Happy Birthday my little man. I hope you have a lovely day.
... and so cute...
... apart from times that the projectile vomiting at inappropriate moments got a bit much to bear...
We've watched as you've grown from a baby into a strong, active little boy...
(Oops! Sorry, wrong picture!)
... but today is your third birthday...
Happy Birthday my little man. I hope you have a lovely day.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Bleurgh!
I don't even know that it's a proper word. All I know is that there is no other word that even comes close to describing how I'm feeling at the moment. Me and half the family.
It all began with Caitlin just over a week ago, and has since been making its way through the household.
Thursday evening resulted in an emergency trip to the surgery with Caitlin who by now had developed an ear infection. I was by this time feeling considerably under the weather and now the younger ones are all succumbing to this sore throat, sore ears, sore head, sore nose and diving/soaring temperature thing and boy, it's a clinger. Not only do you fall with it, it drags on for aaaaages. The only one so far to escape is Mike. We'll put that right soon, I'm sure.
So, I'm sitting here with a hot cup of tea and a pounding head, thinking that I ought to explain my absence the last couple of days. Because I know you'll have missed me.
And you have, haven't you?
It all began with Caitlin just over a week ago, and has since been making its way through the household.
Thursday evening resulted in an emergency trip to the surgery with Caitlin who by now had developed an ear infection. I was by this time feeling considerably under the weather and now the younger ones are all succumbing to this sore throat, sore ears, sore head, sore nose and diving/soaring temperature thing and boy, it's a clinger. Not only do you fall with it, it drags on for aaaaages. The only one so far to escape is Mike. We'll put that right soon, I'm sure.
So, I'm sitting here with a hot cup of tea and a pounding head, thinking that I ought to explain my absence the last couple of days. Because I know you'll have missed me.
And you have, haven't you?
Thursday, 18 December 2008
"The ones with lots of kids"
In life, people get labelled. It's done by friends and family alike. You know, as in "the quiet one" or "the funny one".
We're becoming "Mike and Tania - the ones with lots of kids". Or simply just "The ones with lots of kids".
How do I know?
Because it's when people find Christmas cards like this and instantly think it would be funny to send it to you.
(Not that we make babies in public, I might add!)
We're becoming "Mike and Tania - the ones with lots of kids". Or simply just "The ones with lots of kids".
How do I know?
Because it's when people find Christmas cards like this and instantly think it would be funny to send it to you.
(Not that we make babies in public, I might add!)
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Fudge
I haven't yet decided which fudge to make for the gift boxes. One recipe is made with cream but I haven't actually tried it yet. One recipe is made with condensed milk which is tried and tested and absolutely gorgeous. The third has neither, and while it is ok and barely lasted a day, it doesn't quite have the taste and texture I was aiming for, so I think it's going to be a choice between recipes one and two.
Here is recipe number two, in case you want to try it out. Hopefully I'll add the second recipe once I've tested it out myself, in case it turns out terribly and fails the taste test. And then it'll be decision time on which fudge will be the winner.
Vanilla Fudge Recipe 1
Ingredients:
1 can (400ml) Condensed Milk
250g Butter (butter - not margarine)
200ml Milk
1kg Sugar
5 Tbsp Golden Syrup
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Method:
Here is recipe number two, in case you want to try it out. Hopefully I'll add the second recipe once I've tested it out myself, in case it turns out terribly and fails the taste test. And then it'll be decision time on which fudge will be the winner.
Vanilla Fudge Recipe 1
Ingredients:
1 can (400ml) Condensed Milk
250g Butter (butter - not margarine)
200ml Milk
1kg Sugar
5 Tbsp Golden Syrup
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Method:
1) Melt butter in very large pan. Make sure it is a very large pan as the mixture will bubble up as it boils. Add milk, condensed milk, syrup and sugar and boil on high heat stirring constantly. Add vanilla extract.
2) Keep stirring mixture until it reaches the soft ball stage (115ºC on a sugar thermometer). If you don't have a sugar thermometer you can test whether the mixture has reached the soft ball stage by putting a couple of drops in a glass of ice cold water. If the drops form a soft ball in the water you're done. If not boil for a while longer and try again every few minutes.
3) When mixture has reached the soft ball stage turn off heat and leave to cool for five minutes. Meanwhile line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
4) When mixture has cooled slightly whisk or beat it with a wooden spoon until it becomes "fudge like". As I am lazy I used a handheld stick whisk which did the job just fine. Much less work than beating the mixture with a wooden spoon for ages!
5) Spoon mixture into baking tray and leave to cool. When almost cooled score fudge into squares, ready to cut properly once it has cooled completely.
6) Store in an airtight container. Or eat. I've done the latter with most of it. The airtight container contains a lot of air.
You can also substitute the vanilla extract for other flavourings of your choice. If you try this recipe out please let me know what you think.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Putting in writing what I need to do.
This year the children will be giving family members a small hamper for Christmas. Inside will be some if not all of the following:
1) Gift from Oxfam Unwrapped or World Vision
2) Eggs from our chickens
3) Photograph of children
4) A selection of homemade food including some if not all of the following: Fudge, marmalade, lemon curd, mince pies, peppermint creams, shortbread, meringue swirls, biscotti
5) Something made by some/all of the children
This is the aim. Here is how far we are from achieving it.
1) Ordered and waiting for them to arrive. One thing I can tick off the list! Oh yes!
2) I have given the chickens strict instructions to keep egg production flowing over the next week or so in return for fresh greens in abundance on Christmas Day. So far they are complying with my request. I must remember to buy greens.
OK, so steps one and two are considered in hand. Here is where it's not so organised:
3) I have photographs on the computer. I need to print and laminate them. Must do that... soon.
4) Hahahahahahaha! I haven't even begun on this lot! Plus I need to shop for most of the ingredients first. Must do that... soon!
5) I think Caitlin is halfway through weaving a scarf for one of the grandfathers. I'm not sure what everyone else might get. Will have to get kids to scribble a work of art or something once school's out. Or something.
Plus Mike still has to finish making the boxes otherwise we'll have nothing to put anything in. If anything is ever made to put in the boxes in the first place. Oh the vicious circle!
I thought that putting it all in writing might help me sort things out in my head and feel less panicked about it all.
It hasn't!
1) Gift from Oxfam Unwrapped or World Vision
2) Eggs from our chickens
3) Photograph of children
4) A selection of homemade food including some if not all of the following: Fudge, marmalade, lemon curd, mince pies, peppermint creams, shortbread, meringue swirls, biscotti
5) Something made by some/all of the children
This is the aim. Here is how far we are from achieving it.
1) Ordered and waiting for them to arrive. One thing I can tick off the list! Oh yes!
2) I have given the chickens strict instructions to keep egg production flowing over the next week or so in return for fresh greens in abundance on Christmas Day. So far they are complying with my request. I must remember to buy greens.
OK, so steps one and two are considered in hand. Here is where it's not so organised:
3) I have photographs on the computer. I need to print and laminate them. Must do that... soon.
4) Hahahahahahaha! I haven't even begun on this lot! Plus I need to shop for most of the ingredients first. Must do that... soon!
5) I think Caitlin is halfway through weaving a scarf for one of the grandfathers. I'm not sure what everyone else might get. Will have to get kids to scribble a work of art or something once school's out. Or something.
Plus Mike still has to finish making the boxes otherwise we'll have nothing to put anything in. If anything is ever made to put in the boxes in the first place. Oh the vicious circle!
I thought that putting it all in writing might help me sort things out in my head and feel less panicked about it all.
It hasn't!
Monday, 15 December 2008
Many a truth is said in jest
My daughters argue. With eachother. All the time.
All.
The.
Time.
About anything.
And everything.
All the time.
Got that?
All.
The.
Time.
(Just in case you missed it).
The boys may have a ruck, or a yell at eachother. But then it's done and over with. The girls will argue about something that happened on 23rd May 2003. At 5.12pm. All day long.
I often joked (or yelled, depending on my mood at that present moment), that they wouldn't be able to live if they didn't argue. It's as if their lives depend on having a spat with their sister. If they weren't able to do it they wouldn't be able to live. You know, like breathing. Only more vital.
On Saturday afternoon Stephanie left to stay with her friend overnight. They were going out for a meal with her friend's family and wouldn't be back until very late and so we agreed she could stay over on condition she'd be back in time for church in the morning.
By Saturday night Caitlin had a temperature and the shivers. By the time she woke on Sunday morning she was the colour of a beetroot, her temperature had risen quite a bit further and she found it painful to swallow as her throat was so sore, her neck ached and she found it hard to move her head as it hurt so much. This is demonstrated by the photo below, which she doesn't like as she says she couldn't tilt her head and pose properly because her neck was stiff. Surely, the way she was feeling she should have had more pressing concerns?! Like whether she would be feeling better soon?
She spent much of the day on the sofa with her weaving loom and was very out of character for someone who normally bounces around the house instead of walks.
But by the time Stephanie returned in the evening, Caitlin miraculously began to show signs of recovery! Her temperature had come down, and she managed to eat her dinner. Oh bless her heart, she even managed to force herself to eat some homemade fudge! What a hero!
And soon after Stephanie walked in began the needling of the sisters. From one to the other. And back again. And this morning despite her fatigue and malady of the weekend, she was well enough to go back to bossing helping her younger brothers and therefore deemed well enough to go to school.
Normal service has resumed!
Saturday, 13 December 2008
The boy baby/girl baby theory
When I was pregnant with my fifth child, Eddie, I bought myself a doppler to allow me to listen to the heartbeat for occasional reassurance. I've tried it three times so far during this pregnancy to no avail, until last night.
For the first time yesterday... (read the rest of the post at the "Lots of Kids and Pregnant Again" blog, here).
For the first time yesterday... (read the rest of the post at the "Lots of Kids and Pregnant Again" blog, here).
Friday, 12 December 2008
I love the school holidays
I love having everyone home.
I love not having to rush in the mornings.
I love having three hours of my day back which are otherwise taken up doing the school run.
I love not having to get six of the children ready and out of the door by 7.30am.
I love not having to make sure that school uniforms are ready for Monday morning.
I love not having to pack lunches.
I love that the kids won't be coming home with letters asking for money for something or other.
I love that that clockwatching stops and we can just enjoy the day.
I love that the younger ones can play together.
I love that we can stay in when it's cold, and don't have to worry about hats, gloves, scarves, coats multiplied by seven.
I love that it doesn't matter what the weather is doing outside, because we're warm and snug inside.
I love the school holidays so much that I feel really, really down when they come to an end and term is about to begin, and I start counting down to the next school break from their first day back.
I love that there is just one more week to go!
I love not having to rush in the mornings.
I love having three hours of my day back which are otherwise taken up doing the school run.
I love not having to get six of the children ready and out of the door by 7.30am.
I love not having to make sure that school uniforms are ready for Monday morning.
I love not having to pack lunches.
I love that the kids won't be coming home with letters asking for money for something or other.
I love that that clockwatching stops and we can just enjoy the day.
I love that the younger ones can play together.
I love that we can stay in when it's cold, and don't have to worry about hats, gloves, scarves, coats multiplied by seven.
I love that it doesn't matter what the weather is doing outside, because we're warm and snug inside.
I love the school holidays so much that I feel really, really down when they come to an end and term is about to begin, and I start counting down to the next school break from their first day back.
I love that there is just one more week to go!
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
16 weeks and what a way to mark it
Today I am 16 weeks pregnant exactly. I am past the first trimester nausea and sickness which wasn't anywhere near as bad as my first pregnancy where on one occasion I ... (read the rest of the post at the "Lots of Kids and Pregnant Again" blog here).
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Skills every three year old boy should have
I apologise for the poor quality. The video was recorded this morning before the school run when I had a million and one other things to do, in a mainly dark room with a little bit of lamplight.
Monday, 8 December 2008
A note to my husband
I will tell you one more time that we are still married even when you claim you can't find our marriage certificate.
And no, it doesn't make a difference if it got burnt to a crisp/ripped to shreds/blown away in a hurricane or any other accident it could possibly be involved in.
You lucky, lucky man.
And no, it doesn't make a difference if it got burnt to a crisp/ripped to shreds/blown away in a hurricane or any other accident it could possibly be involved in.
You lucky, lucky man.
Friday, 5 December 2008
And you don't need to visit the Hall of Mirrors...
... to make your face a funny shape.
Laughter for hours*.
*Actually, they laughed for about three and a half minutes. But they did laugh hard!
Laughter for hours*.
*Actually, they laughed for about three and a half minutes. But they did laugh hard!
Thursday, 4 December 2008
You don't need snow to make a snowman
A week or two ago we had a smattering of snow. It brought the younger children to the window, asking if enough had fallen for them to go out and build a snowman yet.
Two hours later the snow had stopped and there was no sign that any had fallen. To say they were disappointed is an understatement.
This morning we set out for the normal 7.30 start on the school run. By the time the younger ones and I got home at nine we were cold, wet and "grateful to be in the house" as Eddie stated yesterday, which was an equally miserable day. The wind had bitten our noses and the rain had whipped our faces. We were quite weather beaten.
So, once our clothes were changed and we'd had a warm slice of toast and I'd settled Paddy down for his morning nap Eddie and Sid took to making snowmen at the kitchen table.
First you take your snowman shape cut out of cardboard from a cereal packet. Cover it with glue. Lots of glue. No, more than that...
... then stick on lots of cotton wool...
... add scraps of material to make the eyes, nose, hat and scarf and a couple of twigs from the garden for the arms. Allow to dry and show off your masterpiece!
Who needs snow?!
Two hours later the snow had stopped and there was no sign that any had fallen. To say they were disappointed is an understatement.
This morning we set out for the normal 7.30 start on the school run. By the time the younger ones and I got home at nine we were cold, wet and "grateful to be in the house" as Eddie stated yesterday, which was an equally miserable day. The wind had bitten our noses and the rain had whipped our faces. We were quite weather beaten.
So, once our clothes were changed and we'd had a warm slice of toast and I'd settled Paddy down for his morning nap Eddie and Sid took to making snowmen at the kitchen table.
First you take your snowman shape cut out of cardboard from a cereal packet. Cover it with glue. Lots of glue. No, more than that...
... then stick on lots of cotton wool...
... add scraps of material to make the eyes, nose, hat and scarf and a couple of twigs from the garden for the arms. Allow to dry and show off your masterpiece!
Who needs snow?!
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