The simple joys

A walk, a play at the park, digging in the sand, a jetty, a simple outdoor game, hot cross buns for breakfast, dangling feet in the water.

Oh and some funny photos.

This was our weekend on the river.

Birthday Ice Cream Cake

You may have read my post about my daughter's request for an ice cream birthday cake for her 8th birthday. I was tossing up between making and buying one, (to save my sanity) but thanks to a reader's suggestion/encouragement, I decided to diy.

I simply used 4 litres of good quality vanilla ice cream, softened and stirred. I added it to a large, springform tin. Here I "marbled" through about 1/2 cup of pureed raspberries for flavour interest and so it looked pretty when sliced :)

Once hardened, I used TV Snack Malt sticks around the outside in 2 layers. The top was decorated with raspberry lollies, maltesers and marshmallow swirls. A big ribbon and it was done. Easy!

To her birthday dinner I added some chocolate spoons...

some of my "cookie ball pops"...

..some other favourites, and my new 8 year old loved her birthday tea!

March Photo A Day Challenge - Day 10 - Loud

 

Playing along with Fat Mum Slim

Ice Cream Birthday Cake

My soon-to-be 8 year old daughter has requested an ice cream cake for her birthday, so of course, I set off across the 'net for ideas.

I LOVE this one but I don't know if I can trust myself to get it right.

Source: onecharmingparty.com via Lou on Pinterest

I could probably manage one of these from Taste

This one from Nigella is simple enough, and looks so delicious, but it doesn't look like a birthday cake, more a fabulous dessert for a dinner party.

 Wendy's would make it easy...

Source: icecreamcakes.wendys.com.au via Lou on Pinterest

Source: icecreamcakes.wendys.com.au via Lou on Pinterest

I could use this relatively simple Raspberry Swirl Ice Cream Cake recipe from Coles and decorate with all her favourite chocolates instead of the raspberries.

Hmmm.
Which ones do you love? Should I make or should I buy?

Creating Memories

If I had to name just one goal that my whole life revolved around, it would be creating memories for my kids. 

Source: google.ca via Paula on Pinterest

Good Memories by Robert Duncan

Of course, my business is super important to me, as is my whole family, my fitness, my friends; but my biggest priority is making life memorable for my kids. This also means it's creating great memories for myself and my husband.

Helping to make the lives of my kids memorable revolve around baking, traditions, books, family and time.

Baking

Whether it's helping with the baking process, licking the spoons, reading from the recipes, or just enjoying the end result at home or at school; I know the kids appreciate that their mum loves to bake with and for them!

Traditions or rituals

I think the greatest way to create memories is through traditions or rituals that are special or unique to your family.

We love pancakes for breakfast {cooked by hubby} on Christmas morning and other special occasions, movie nights at home, our Christmas Eve book swap, bed & bath time rituals, and family walks with the dogs.

Books

For me, nothing beats sitting down next to my little lad and reading him a story while he wraps his arm right around my neck :)

Reading with the kids, teaching them to care for their books, and watching them learn and develop their reading is so satisfying, especially knowing that their bedtime-story reading ritual is creating lovely memories for all of us.

Source: piccsy.com via Janine on Pinterest

Family

We are so fortunate to be in situation where our kids have both sets of grandparents living nearby, as well as aunties, uncles and cousins who they see regularly. This also means that we usually have a babysitter when in need, and the kids love their "sleepovers"!  

We have always stressed the importance of family and showed how much we love and appreciate those special people in our lives. 

Time

We all know that more than anything, kids love you to spend time with them. This is not always easy in our busy lives, but I really think that mums {and dads} do a great job! You just have to read some of the wonderful blogs out there, written by mums who manage and enjoy a full work life that they fit in around their children.

I have heard many women of my mum's generation say that we spend more time with our kids than they did. While this is obviously a generalised view, I hope it is true.

This book inspired my post today. It's on my "want to read" list on Pinterest.
It's all about creating those memories that your kids will hold on to forever.

Source: amazon.com via Lou on Pinterest

I love this one too, now 25% off in store!

Making Memories by Josie Bissett $24.95  $18.71

Go make memories.

Enjoy!

Gratitude - Two Buddies

One of my greatest joys in life is to see the relationship between my two little rugrats. 

Yes, they argue sometimes, and they certainly irritate each other sometimes; but when all is said and done, they are the best of buddies, and for this I am so grateful.

Choc Chip Muffins for kids

Yesterday Miss Seven decided she would like to bake something all on her own. So, we Googled "simple recipes for kids" and decided on these Chocolate chip muffins from Kidspot, (heaps of great recipe ideas here) though we used milk chocolate chips instead of the dark.

I supervised and gave hints occasionally but she did a great job with everything..

..and the muffins tasted great!

Do you have a junior masterchef at home, and how old were they when they started to bake on their own?

All-encompassing..

Kids on school holidays, busy at Budburst Kids, and general life distractions are my excuses for my woeful blogging regularity...

it will improve :)

In the meantime, enjoy this quote that I think is so accurate and beautiful, it's simply perfect.

Source: etsy.com via Lou on Pinterest

Happy Sunday! ♥

School holidays

While my work has piled up over this first week of the school holidays, we have had a lovely time.

~ Ice creams at the park (while only 4 degrees outside!)
~ The library
~ Babycino and a walk
~ A movie afternoon
~ Monarto Zoo:

Digger the new baby Rhino..

~ Cupcakes {just because}

Today it's fruit loops (well 'Tropicos' actually - much healthier:) necklaces and the market tonight... enjoy your weekend!

Homemade Happiness

On this wet, wintery day we've enjoyed a very family day with musical & dance performances from the kids, baking, lots of tidying and organising ~ just simple, family time at home.

It has reminded me of this quote that I love

Source: alphabettree.com.au via Lou on Pinterest

I also love the beautiful products at the Alphabet Tree where I found the quote in the form of a wall decal.

School Holiday Planners

I know many of you are already in the midst of school holidays, but with ours under a week away, it's time to prepare a plan of attack.. well a holiday planner anyway. 

This is where the creative {and super organised} girls at Super Organiser Mum & A little Delightful come in.

They have created and prepared these cute and handy printables to help you prepare for, and organise your children's holidays.

There is a holiday calendar that you can alter to suit your holiday dates and a holiday fun list where you can add details of some fun ideas for things to do and see.

Mine are complete with outings and home activities based around my work and times the kids can be cared for by grandparents.

Most events and activities on our calendar are open to a change of day depending on weather conditions.

Now we're organised!

Print out your own here

Time with the kids

I am so often asked, "mum can you build a tower with me?", "can we make a cubby with the sheets", "can you play hide and seek with us", "can you read me this book..."

I realise, with much guilt, that many of the times I am asked these things I say "I can't now, I'm cooking tea" {or "I'm hanging the washing", or "I'm working", or "it's nearly time to leave for school/kindy"}

While I recognise that this is life, and realistically I can't always play/read/join in with the kids, I always feel like I can spend more time that is just for them.

So, my aim has been to adjust my life a little, {more on this later} to ensure I am doing more of the things my kids love to do.

For the purpose of having a little reminder for myself, and perhaps some ideas for my readers, here is a list of some of the simple, and generally inexpensive things my kids enjoy.

As it is winter here in Oz and outside activities are generally not as viable, my list is based around inside activities. I have also included some super-cool ideas I have found across the web.

• Build a cubby out of sheets and blankets {perhaps have a snack inside on a teeny tiny plate}
  
  
• Bake cupcakes or cornflake crackles together
  
  
• Have a babycino at a local cafe
  
  
• Build with Lego
  
  
• Have a picnic lunch on a rug on the floor {I normally do a platter of cheese, dip, crackers & dipping veggies}

• Have a tea party




• Home made play dough - recipe here
  
  

• Watch a recorded program together {my daughter loves Better Homes & Gardens but it is normally on after her bed time}
  
  

• Read a story or two

• Movie night: Set up camp in the TV room, have dinner on a picnic rug and watch a movie or two. Sleep the night.
  
  
• Hide & seek
  
  
• Colouring in - There are many colouring-in printable sites but Kidspot has a great selection
  
  
• Play a board game {or even have a family games night}
  
  
• Crafts - Kidspot has a huge selection of printables and craft ideas
  
  
• Make a card for someone's birthday {or just to say "I love you"}
  
  
• Puzzles
  
  
• Learn online. Here are some of the websites we use for educational fun:
  Starfall
  Triple Zero Kid's Challenge
  Reading Eggs
  ABC 4 Kids
  
  

• Painting - here's one of our last holidays projects
  
  

• Balloon Ball games - satisfy their need for active games with this indoor version. We bought ours here

Image from Balloon Balls
 

• Use masking tape to create a road along the floor - the extent of this is up to you {and the size of your roll of masking tape} Here's a great example from the lovely The Mother Huddle - There is also lots of gorgeous & unique craft ideas here.
  
  
• Butchers paper floor drawing - See how Jade at Super Organiser Mum does it here
  

• Memory - See this idea from Bianca at A little Delightful 

Enjoy!

30 day photo challenge - Day 22 - Hands

Check out others participating in the 30 day photo challenge here