DIY TeePee

This last weekend I made our kids a teepee. They have been making dens in odd places around the house which, I don't mind so much but when they want eat snacks and play lego it gets a little tiresome finding their little trails around the house. You know where they've been i can tell you :)

I thought a pop-up teepee might help.

It's easy peasy to construct. Heres how i did it...

i used:

5 large garden canes
garden wire
garden string
an old white double bed sheet
scissors
cotton
needle
blankets/cushions for cosiness


to construct:

* First I tied the canes together at the top, loosely, then pulled them out into a circle at the base.

* Using the garden wire, weave around each cane to secure the structure (half way down each cane), then secure the wire to the canes with string. Make sure you leave two canes untied for the opening.

* Next, fold your sheet in half and cut a medium sized hole in the middle ready to pop over the top of the structure to create the tent. Secure this at the top with string then cut an opening in the sheet.

* Arrange the sheet so that the opening isn't gaping open but that there is a little secret gap for the kids to crawl into...thus making it 'den like'. I made a stitch close to the top for this.

* Lastly, hang fairy lights for a touch of magic and maybe a cushion or their favourite blanket or two.

Hey presto! Your very own pop-up teepee!  
Of course, it can be folded away and stored well. And of course you can make an adult version using longer canes and a larger bed sheet.

Enjoy! xx

Sunday Bake

Here is a breakthrough I would like to share with you. It's quite funny really but over the years I have been quite frustrated that my kids dislike bananas so much. Esther will gag at even the smell of them and Seth simply wont eat them.

Recently a friend of mine baked some banana cookies for her children and they seemed to love them, so,  I asked her for the recipe so I could perhaps give them a go for my kids. They are so easy to make and are really delicious AND oil and dairy free.  Man alive, when i took them out of the oven, the aroma took my breath away and the taste was even better. I offered my children half to see what they thought and seriously they wanted more and more. I was so giddy with excitement that they were eating the miracle fruit which is banana (against their knowledge of course) that I made some more for their lunch boxes. One happy Mother right here!!

so, if you suffer like i have with children who dislike banana, try these and see how you get on. If you just want to try something oil and dairy free thats packed with energy stuff, give them a go.

Oil and Dairy Free, Banana Cookies.

RECIPE:

Oil and Dairy free Banana Cookies
RECIPE:

4 ripe bananas - mashed
1 cup wholemeal flour 
1 cup oats
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Combine well
On greaseproof paper, add tbsp amounts and bake for 20 mins on 160 fan.
Makes approx 20

There appears to be only one left I see...

School Break fun...

 BEADED DECORATIONS

POTATO STAMPING

Feeling Spring...but not quite

Well, we are receiving a little sunshine here and there but it is still so bitterly cold. It's the last week of the half term Easter school holidays and we are trying to make the most of it in various ways.  I have been enjoying a little stitching to brighten my mood...more details on fun stuff with the kiddos to follow.

Teeny tiny birdie with little wire feet. This is actually going to be a friends birthday present. How delightful!

Egg hunting...

So, today was a carefree day as predicted. we got the car washed and took some stuff to the tip then visited the kids favourite park. later, we hid lots of tiny foil wrapped choccy eggs and got the kids to go find them. Lovely, lovely day!!

Easter Day...

So far, this weekend has been so lovely with my little family. Hubby has been off work so we've really taken advantage of the time together but not crammed so much in that we've missed it all. Today we went to church and enjoyed a wonderful Easter service then came home and cooked a lovely meal. Paul rarely cooks or bakes but loves to do both when time permits. So, I made dinner and he made pudding...and a very British and festive pudding it was too, Hot Cross Bun, bread and butter pudding with dates and cinnamon. Delicious.

the fire was lit before dinner and we played the Tron soundtrack in the background. 

One of our favourite things to do as a family is make a lovely meal with all the nice crockery, put everything out on the table and eat as a family. It's wonderful. These are teaching moments for the kids, goals are made, laughter and giggles, jokes etc. A lot is said and done.

Today was no exception...we had dinner later than normal because we relaxed for most of the afternoon and nibbled on chocolate bunnies. It was a great Easter Sunday.

Tomorrow is egg hunt day! outdoors if the weather is fine but indoors if not. This is what the kids do on Easter Monday morning. then we plan to spend the day together. We might even fly a kite. Whatever we decide, its going to be carefree.

Enjoy the Easter break!

xx

Chick and Bunny sat in a hot tub...

Hot Cross Bun, bread and butter pudding. Delicious!!

I love my kitchen. I especially appreciated it today for all the smells of cooking and baking, kids running through doing their random kids stuff and eating together at the table.

Love is...

Love is....

....You and me!

A little card I made for my hubby.