Wednesday 30 November 2011

Snowflakes

We had our first real snowfall of the year here this morning, although even now, a few hours later it has started to melt away, and the boy loved it. We had to go outside in the snow so he could catch snowflakes to eat, try and throw snowballs and make footprints in the snow. So I thought this afternoon would be a good time to make some snowflakes of our own.

We used some coffee filters, folded them in half, half again, and half again till we had a little wedge and then cut shapes out of the sides. It's such a classic kids craft, I remember making them myself when I was little. The only thing I had to make sure was that he didn't cut right across the paper or we would have had some odd snowflakes!

He had a lot of fun doing it, and it's such an easy craft to do, since we always have coffee filters around! They make a nice winter decoration and the boy loves to show off his work, so for now we have hung ours up in the doorway so that we can see them all the time. It's a great way to help pass some time on a dreary afternoon, which is a good since there's at least four more months of winter to go! 

Our 'works' of art - it was too windy and they wouldn't stop blowing around!

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Copy Cat

We were out and about running errands today (in the pouring rain), and the boy insisted on bringing pup pup (a stuffed dog/blankie he's had since he was a baby) with us. So we tucked pup pup into his jacket, and zipped him up. This meant that pup pup was facing out at the world from the neck of the boy's coat.

Halfway into the store the boy stopped and said "I'm carrying pup pup just like Auntie M carries her boy!" I love that the idea of baby wearing is a normal thing for him, but it's also worrying, since he's only seen the little guy in the carrier a few times. It's also a good reminder of how much he remembers, and how careful I have to be of what I say and do around him. It means no more eye rolling, since I'm sure it won't be long before he's learnt that on his own and is practising it on me!

Friday 25 November 2011

Growth Spurt

Lately I feel like I've been buying a lot of new clothes for the boy, he seems to have not stopped growing (or eating) for a few months. It's all been a slow gradual growth though, there wasn't one huge spurt that was really noticeable. But tonight watching him have his bedtime snack, I really saw the change - check out the length of his pj pants!



Guess I need to add pyjamas to my next shopping list!

Sunday 20 November 2011

Yummy Granola

The boy and I did some baking today, and made one of our favourite recipes - granola. The recipe is so easy, and so versatile that it goes from being fairly healthy to being a sweet treat! I have to admit that the version we made today was closer to dessert than a health food, but it's still really tasty!

The nice thing with this recipe is that because it's so easy, the boy really gets to help and pitch in. I normally give him a choice of what we're going to put in it, and he picks the different ingredients from what we have. Then it's a simple matter of sticking a measuring cup in, getting a full scoop and dumping it in the bowl. In fact the only things that I need to do are melt the butter and use the can opener. Everything else he takes care of - within reason of course. His favourite part, other than licking the spoon at the end, is getting to pat the mixture into the pan with his hands.

I've put the recipe below, I find that I need to cook them for about 22 minutes to get them just right - not too crisp, but nice and chewy. Enjoy!




Ingredients
  • 3 cups Quick Cooking Oats
  • 14oz (414 ml) sweetened condensed milk (just under a can and a half)
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 3 1/2 cups of mixers (4 different items)
    • i.e dried cranberries, raisins, papaya, almonds, chocolate chips, mini M&M's, coconut etc. (whatever combo sounds good to you)
Directions
  1. Preheat over to 350
  2. Grease a 9 * 13 pan
  3. mix all ingredients together
  4. press flat into pan
  5. bake 20-25 minutes (when they are lightly browned on top you will have chewy, moist bars)
  6. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then cut.

My 'helper' patting the granola into the pan


Friday 18 November 2011

What an imagination!

The boy has a fantastic imagination. I don't know if it's just a phase as a pre-schooler, or if he will continue to make his own worlds when he gets older. I hope it stays with him, he is so happy when he's immersed in his own creations. Hubby and I encourage him as much as we can, playing along with most of the scenarios he comes up with. This week he's been even more creative than usual, so I thought I'd share some of them.
  • he's a road sweeper (not a driver, but the actual sweeper) 
  • we live on a submarine and he installs all the pipes to keep the water flowing 
  • he needs to build igloos for he & I to live in (out of pillows)
  • he broke his arm being a goalie in hockey when he fell after making a amazing save!
  • he has earrings (made from stickers) and has a tattoo machine to give me a tattoo   
  • he is a puppy dog and can only speak in barks
 So if you someone barking or pretending to shiver inside a collection of pillows, you'll know the boy has been imagining again!

Tuesday 15 November 2011

2 minutes peace, please!


The boy is currently going through a phase where he has to be with me all the time (unless hubby is around of course and then I'm only good if he is upset). He used to want to be with us, but was o.k for 5 minutes while I went down to move laundry into the dryer or get something out from the freezer, or even just to go pee. But now that's all gone. I can't even make it to the bathroom without hearing footsteps behind me.

I  know it's a stage and it will pass but I do like my peace and quiet. I've tried reassuring him that I'll be right back, telling him exactly what I'm doing, or where I'm going, but to no avail. So today I finally asked him why he needed to follow me everywhere and his answer was "but I just want to be with you Mummy." How do I argue with that? I just need to remember these days when he's a teenager and wants nothing to do with me.

Wednesday 9 November 2011

A doll for the boy

The boy was telling me about some of the fun new toys they had at his play group this week, and what he had played with. He was very excited about some new doll accessories that were there, including 'a seat for the baby to sit in and a swing for the baby to go in'. I asked if he had played with them, and he said, with such disdain and disgust, "no, the girls were playing with them". How dare those girls hog the babies when the boy wanted to play with them!

Maybe they need to watch the classic William's Doll from Free to Be You and Me! 

Monday 7 November 2011

Scrupulously fair


The boy and I were walking to the park today to go and play baseball, and thanks to daylight savings time, it was getting dark by 5. We could see the moon, so the boy was talking about taking a trip to the moon, and in case we didn't know how to get there we could bring Daddy's GPS with us.

This turned into a discussion of where he and Daddy would sit in the rocket on the way. This became a discussion of just how much he loves Daddy, and spending time with Daddy. Suddenly the boy stopped, looked up at me and said, 'but I really like spending time with you too Mummy.' Doesn't that just warm the cockles of your heart - he loves Daddy, but he likes me - story of my life!

Thursday 3 November 2011

Driving lessons

The boy is currently  fascinated with road signs and what they mean. We have to explain everything we see when we're out. He also wants to know about the rules of the road, and how cars work. Tonight at dinner, he stumped hubby and I with a question about how carburettors work and what they do. Thank goodness for Google is all I can say!

He's also turning into a bit of a back seat driver. The other day a small voice popped up from the back seat as we were on our way to get groceries - 'mummy, you're supposed to stop at a yellow light because a red light is coming next and you have to stop for red lights.'

I can't wait until he's old enough to drive so that I can start commenting on his abilities. But if he continues to have to an insistence on following the rules of the road like he does now, there might not be much to comment on! Although if the insurance system continues the way it is now, he'll still be paying through the nose to drive, safe driver and rule follower or not, so I might have to wait a little longer to polish up my back seat driving comments.