What is it about having kids that just turns your brain to mush? I know some people say that baby brain doesn't exist, but I beg to differ. Before having kids, I was reasonably organised, had a great memory (both long- and short-term) and could remember things just like that [clicks fingers].
But these days if I don't write something down almost immediately, I forget it. D1 said something hilarious at bathtime tonight and now I cannot remember what it was. I write lists. Endless bloody lists of things to do, to buy, to pack... For the first time ever, this year I forgot one of my best friend's child's birthdays. I didn't forget it by a day or two. It was by weeks. I was mortified!
So what is it about kids that does this? Is it something to do with all those crazy pregnancy and post-birth hormones? Or is it because our brains simply cannot cope with all the extra information that having a child brings? More importantly - will I ever get my brain back?!
I know I'm not alone in this, but if anyone has any tips - or thoughts - about improving my brain power, I would love to hear them!
Wednesday 26 November 2014
Thursday 20 November 2014
Domestic goddess or slummy mummy?
It's been a busy time at Dorset Mummy Towers, what with Christmas fast approaching, the daily school run, swimming lessons, decorating.... It's a wonder household tasks actually get done at all!
And let's be honest. Those tasks just go on and on and on. No sooner has the washing basket been cleared then it starts to fill up again. Same for the washing up. There's always cleaning to be done, the school uniform to be ironed, tea to be cooked. I'm exhausted just thinking about it!
And here's the worst thing. I am not a natural domestic. I love cooking and baking, but I hate washing up. I like wearing my clothes, but I get bored of washing them and I cannot stand ironing them. I NEVER iron. Except now I have to because the school uniform seems to get more creased than anything else....
Don't get me wrong, I am house proud, I don't live in a dust-infested hovel, but I just think there are so many more interesting things I could do with my time. Like painting my nails. Painting my walls. Watching TV...
Speaking of which, if anyone has seen Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners, then you'll appreciate just how much time gets wasted cleaning. Have you seen it? Those people like cleaning so much, they hoover their gardens, wash their cats (mine would freak if I put him anywhere near a bath!) and use litres and litres of bleach. And don't get me started on the lady who gave her kids a Dettol bath once a week... And at the end of the day, they may have a spotless house, but they haven't achieved much else.
Homes are meant to be lived in, just like kids are meant to get messy. I like my house to feel homely and comfortable - and I want visitors to feel at home too. So next time you're at mine, keep your shoes on, drop crumbs on the floor and relax. Because that's what I intend to do!
And let's be honest. Those tasks just go on and on and on. No sooner has the washing basket been cleared then it starts to fill up again. Same for the washing up. There's always cleaning to be done, the school uniform to be ironed, tea to be cooked. I'm exhausted just thinking about it!
And here's the worst thing. I am not a natural domestic. I love cooking and baking, but I hate washing up. I like wearing my clothes, but I get bored of washing them and I cannot stand ironing them. I NEVER iron. Except now I have to because the school uniform seems to get more creased than anything else....
Don't get me wrong, I am house proud, I don't live in a dust-infested hovel, but I just think there are so many more interesting things I could do with my time. Like painting my nails. Painting my walls. Watching TV...
Speaking of which, if anyone has seen Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners, then you'll appreciate just how much time gets wasted cleaning. Have you seen it? Those people like cleaning so much, they hoover their gardens, wash their cats (mine would freak if I put him anywhere near a bath!) and use litres and litres of bleach. And don't get me started on the lady who gave her kids a Dettol bath once a week... And at the end of the day, they may have a spotless house, but they haven't achieved much else.
Homes are meant to be lived in, just like kids are meant to get messy. I like my house to feel homely and comfortable - and I want visitors to feel at home too. So next time you're at mine, keep your shoes on, drop crumbs on the floor and relax. Because that's what I intend to do!
Monday 10 November 2014
Have a hands-on Christmas!
The big day is approaching fast and the inevitable preparation is underway. My Christmas puddings are all cooked and maturing nicely and it's the time of year when I start making my jams and chutneys. Delish!
Over the summer months I stockpile fruit and freeze it ready for this season. This year's crop consists of blackcurrants from my garden, apples from my in-laws, blueberries from Trehane's (www.trehane.co.uk), blackberries from local hedgerows and rhubarb from some friends. So far I've done a green tomato chutney and last week I did a batch of blackcurrant and rhubarb jam. My next step will be the classic apple and blackberry. I'm sure people think jam is complicated, but all you need is some good equipment, the fruit, sugar and water. The only difficulty I always have is checking the setting point – hopefully my new jam thermometer will help me with that! #cookinggeek!
Anyway, my point is that jams, chutneys and the like make lovely Christmas presents – and there's nothing like giving a homemade gift to show someone you care.
Recently I've done some writing for the Salisbury and Bournemouth editions of Raring2go! and one of the features was on gift ideas. I won't rehash them all here, as obviously those of you who are local will be avidly reading the magazine, but I will direct you to some of my recipes, which have made their way online. Take a look at www.raring2go.co.uk/eat/recipes/christmas-recipes.
And just in case you're still not inspired, here's a few pictures from my own handmade Christmas a couple of years ago…
Cupcakes in a jar
Gift boxes containing a mini Christmas pudding, jams, chutneys, coconut ice,
cookies and giant chocolate buttons
Have I inspired you? If so, I'd love to know what you'll be making this Christmas. And if you need a taste tester…
Monday 3 November 2014
Holiday it's a holiday!
We managed to cram so much into the half-term break that I literally don't know where to begin talking about our adventures. So I thought I would do a quick summation of my top 5…
The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
OK, so it's Hampshire, not Dorset, but I got a great Groupon deal a few months back for the Spinnaker and as we were going to stay with friends in London, we thought we'd call in and do the Tower en route before the voucher expired on 29 October. The deal was entry for 2 adults, a hot drink each and a photo and I think I paid just £9.50 for it, which saved me something like £25. Worth. Every. Penny. It was a beautiful clear day across the South and we had fantastic views of Portsmouth, Gosport, the Isle of Wight and beyond. I lived in Portsmouth many years ago so it was a great trip down memory lane and the perfect start to the holidays. Not great if you've got a fear of heights or glass floors, but if you love sightseeing from on high (which I do), it's amazing. For more information on the Tower, head to www.spinnakertower.co.uk.
Sealife Centre, Weymouth
I love aquariums. There's something soothing about watching lots of colourful fishes swimming around, so I was quite excited to finally be making a trip to the Sealife Centre at Weymouth. And it was worth it. We spent a good 2.5 hours there, exploring all the different sections - partly helped by the fact that D1 had a 'passport' to stamp in each section and getting all of the stamps meant she would get a medal. But we saw a massive array of fish and marine wildlife - seahorses, seals, sharks, turtles, clownfish (that's Nemo to most people!), crabs, stingrays… The list goes on. The staff were all really friendly and knowledgeable and it was just a really pleasant way to spend a morning. In the summer, there's an outdoor wet play area where kids can splash to their heart's content - we'll definitely be going back! www.sealifeweymouth.com
Ice skating at The Ark, Poole Park
I am not naturally graceful. I can barely walk without tripping up. So when we delved into our days out jar and pulled out "Go ice skating" and D1 declared she wanted Mummy to join her while Daddy looked after D2, I'll admit I wasn't exactly thrilled. But I've learnt that being a mum often means being brave in front of your kids (even when there's a spider around. That's love for you!) so I happily got my skates on and ventured shakily onto the ice. An HOUR later, I finally got off! And I even managed not to fall over, not once. Hooray! The rink at The Ark isn't the biggest but for a 4yo who's not used to skating, it's the perfect size. She happily skated round with an aid and the only reason we were on the ice so long is because she didn't want to get off! (www.thearkpoolepark.co.uk)
Crabbing
Going crab-lining is one of those traditional seaside activities that I've never done - and one that D1 was desperate to enjoy. So armed with a bucket, a net and some bacon for the nippers, we headed to Hamworthy Beach to try our luck. Amazingly, D1 managed to sit patiently on the pier and wait it out until the bacon tempted a crab – when she was joyfully rewarded with 2 decent-sized crustaceans. Again the brave Mummy effect came into play and I gloved up and picked up one of the blighters rather carefully - why do we do these things to ourselves, Mums!? Don't worry, we did then release them back into the water and went home happy.
Adventure Wonderland
Billed as Dorset's No1 attraction, Adventure Wonderland is another one of those places we've been meaning to check out for a while, but you need the weather to go. And with the warmest Halloween on record on the cards, we decided it was the perfect day for some theme-park fun. It's not a massive park and to be honest, if we had paid money rather than used Tesco vouchers, I would have been disappointed - it would have cost nearly £40 for 2 adults and 1 child (D2 was free). However, we did manage to spend all day there and we had a great time. Despite the weather, the park wasn't rammed and we were lucky enough to go on rides more than once, enjoyed the Halloween show, spent some time in the huge soft play area, cuddled animals, took a pony ride and bounced on a trampoline. You know you've had a good day when your child cries because she doesn't want to go home… www.adventurewonderland.co.uk
So that was my half term. How did you spend yours?
The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
OK, so it's Hampshire, not Dorset, but I got a great Groupon deal a few months back for the Spinnaker and as we were going to stay with friends in London, we thought we'd call in and do the Tower en route before the voucher expired on 29 October. The deal was entry for 2 adults, a hot drink each and a photo and I think I paid just £9.50 for it, which saved me something like £25. Worth. Every. Penny. It was a beautiful clear day across the South and we had fantastic views of Portsmouth, Gosport, the Isle of Wight and beyond. I lived in Portsmouth many years ago so it was a great trip down memory lane and the perfect start to the holidays. Not great if you've got a fear of heights or glass floors, but if you love sightseeing from on high (which I do), it's amazing. For more information on the Tower, head to www.spinnakertower.co.uk.
Sealife Centre, Weymouth
I love aquariums. There's something soothing about watching lots of colourful fishes swimming around, so I was quite excited to finally be making a trip to the Sealife Centre at Weymouth. And it was worth it. We spent a good 2.5 hours there, exploring all the different sections - partly helped by the fact that D1 had a 'passport' to stamp in each section and getting all of the stamps meant she would get a medal. But we saw a massive array of fish and marine wildlife - seahorses, seals, sharks, turtles, clownfish (that's Nemo to most people!), crabs, stingrays… The list goes on. The staff were all really friendly and knowledgeable and it was just a really pleasant way to spend a morning. In the summer, there's an outdoor wet play area where kids can splash to their heart's content - we'll definitely be going back! www.sealifeweymouth.com
Ice skating at The Ark, Poole Park
I am not naturally graceful. I can barely walk without tripping up. So when we delved into our days out jar and pulled out "Go ice skating" and D1 declared she wanted Mummy to join her while Daddy looked after D2, I'll admit I wasn't exactly thrilled. But I've learnt that being a mum often means being brave in front of your kids (even when there's a spider around. That's love for you!) so I happily got my skates on and ventured shakily onto the ice. An HOUR later, I finally got off! And I even managed not to fall over, not once. Hooray! The rink at The Ark isn't the biggest but for a 4yo who's not used to skating, it's the perfect size. She happily skated round with an aid and the only reason we were on the ice so long is because she didn't want to get off! (www.thearkpoolepark.co.uk)
Crabbing
Going crab-lining is one of those traditional seaside activities that I've never done - and one that D1 was desperate to enjoy. So armed with a bucket, a net and some bacon for the nippers, we headed to Hamworthy Beach to try our luck. Amazingly, D1 managed to sit patiently on the pier and wait it out until the bacon tempted a crab – when she was joyfully rewarded with 2 decent-sized crustaceans. Again the brave Mummy effect came into play and I gloved up and picked up one of the blighters rather carefully - why do we do these things to ourselves, Mums!? Don't worry, we did then release them back into the water and went home happy.
Adventure Wonderland
Billed as Dorset's No1 attraction, Adventure Wonderland is another one of those places we've been meaning to check out for a while, but you need the weather to go. And with the warmest Halloween on record on the cards, we decided it was the perfect day for some theme-park fun. It's not a massive park and to be honest, if we had paid money rather than used Tesco vouchers, I would have been disappointed - it would have cost nearly £40 for 2 adults and 1 child (D2 was free). However, we did manage to spend all day there and we had a great time. Despite the weather, the park wasn't rammed and we were lucky enough to go on rides more than once, enjoyed the Halloween show, spent some time in the huge soft play area, cuddled animals, took a pony ride and bounced on a trampoline. You know you've had a good day when your child cries because she doesn't want to go home… www.adventurewonderland.co.uk
So that was my half term. How did you spend yours?
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