Cass, did you ever contact your father or brother? I was wondering after my fathers visit recently - after 7 years it is actually not weird and we get along quite well now.
Today W did his first solo shop purchase. I waited outside and he went in and got a freddo frog each for him and A, waited in line and paid all by himself. I peeked around the corner but he saw me and waved me away. Then when he was back out he offered me some, it was very cute and he was so proud of himself Makes up for New Clothes War -Day 2 this morning.
G, how is L settling down now? I hope it didn't get too bad for him. He's such a trooper.
Arte, A's bike is P's old 12 inch bike and OMG he gets some speed up on it! Makes my heart stop sometimes. Well done to W for having his training wheels off now. Why doesn't he like his new clothes? When we are at footy or little A's I send A with some money to go and buy something at the canteen LOL. He thinks he's so awesome when he does it.
Some of the glue on A's eye started coming away today so I pulled it off and apart from taking off part of his eyebrow LOL, it's healed well. It will leave a pretty noticeable scar though now that I can actually see it. But still a better scar than stitches would have left kwim? it isn't all puckered like stitches do. Speaking of meltdowns, A had a massive one yesterday because L has his haircut first when A wanted to be first. OMG it was embarrassing! It was nearly our turn (it's a sit and wait barber shop - no appts) and A had to go to the loo and I knew that while we were gone it would be our turn, so I told L what haircut he needed and by the time we came back out, L was in the chair and A lost it! refused to get his haircut then so I had to sit and cajole and beg him to get his haircut. In the end he got it done, but he sat there with the biggest frown on his face.
Then L and I had our chiro appts and occasionally A reckons he needs his back cracked so our chiro will humor him and pretend to crack his back, but yesterday he actually needed it cracked! His neck and face were out of alignment so he fixed them up.
trill- its so funny how they crack it over the littlest things that you think won't matter, isn't it? L is always cracking it with me over silly little things, like if i do something for him that he wanted to do himself. glad to hear he has healed up well.
arte- whats going on with the clothes? L is really good at doing the shop purchase too. i usually let him buy a packet of cheezels after his swimming lesson and he goes and pays by himself. sometimes he gets confused though when i give him the correct money and he gets no change. glad to hear little E is still such a lovely easy baby.
cally- i know you mentioned it before, but when is the ENT appointment? L's fluid was not infected either but was definitely affecting his hearing. last night he yelled at jimmy for having the tv too loud in the other room! that has never happened before.
cass- the leap pads are on sale at myer again for 169. they are great, J is playing with his right now actually! they are really sturdy too. this one has been dropped and left in the car and all sorts and is still going strong!
L is going ok, woke up in the middle of the night in quite a bit of pain. they are both going a bit stir crazy with being stuck at home too. they are not used to just being in the house all day, as we usually do something or catch up with someone every day. sadly L won't be able to go back to his usual swimming class as they are closing at xmas for renovations and won't open again till march 2013. he has done so well with this teacher so it is a real pain.
Hi All
I might have to look at the leap pad idea for the boys too. though we are getting them bikes soon - Poor N is a bit behind on that front when I hear what your kids are up to. oops!
G - sounds like L is going well - what are you able to give him for the pain? is he able to eat yet?
My latest thing tocook with the boys is home made foccacia bread - they love kneading it and putting toppings on before we bake it - its a great lunch for them and it doesnt take too long. if anyone wants to try it let me know and I will post my recipe.
i made it at kinder with Noahs class and they all LOVED it - so i reckon it is a hit with most kids!
Talking of meltdowns....K has been talking about a party for Daddy's birthday (it's after Christmas). Anyway, she told her friends at school it was today and she was waiting for them all to turn up this morning because the party was going all day. She started to lose it when I packed her lunch box, then when I said they wouldn't be here because their mummy's hadn't seen an invitation and wouldn't know where to bring them, she completely lost it. Then it escalated because she wanted to come with me, but I was going to site etc. I swear I could have left the house 20 minutes earlier this morning. Anyway, I was backing out the driveway while DH (in his undies because he'd only just got out of the shower) was standing in the front window trying to calm her down as the tears were streaming down her face. Poor little poppet!
G - when do you think L will be up for a little field trip?
Cally - aww poor little (cranky) poppet! E cracks it over weird things too. Like this morning she had a hissy about not wanting to go to kindy. It's not a kindy day, but I'd made some throwaway remark about not wearing her new skirt so she didn't get paint on it and she extrapolated that meant kindy, saved it up for an hour THEN had a hissy. LOL Funny when you ask them to explain why they think something, maybe K thought today was 'after' Christmas already because of something they did at childcare or something she saw on tv...
MP, that foccaccia sounds fantastic, I'm sure both my girls would love to do that.
Ginger, I hope L is feeling better and better everyday. My trick with pain relief (cos I'm such an expert at it these days LOL) especially if you're using 2 different meds, is to stagger what times you give them so they never both run out at the same time. This might mean waking him up for a dose of something before you go to bed or setting the alarm in the wee hours.
Arte, yay for W the shopper! We haven't tried it with E yet, mostly because she gets very anxious near strangers, but I might try it soon at a familiar shop with something she really wants!
Trill, that glue sounds magic. I've got a horrible scar where they took my port out, it's less from the stitches though and more from how they stuck the dressing over it, it's kind of flat but puckery. I'm fully ready to tell the first person who asks that it's from where the government agents removed the alien hardware, but no one has asked . Just think of all the fun A will have making up stories about how he got his scar .
Last edited by AnyDream; December 1st, 2011 at 11:00 AM.
md- i have been doing exactly that with the pain relief- trying to stagger it. he needs the panadol every 6 hours though so it doesn't cover the whole night iykwim? i should really be setting an alarm but I've just been so dog tired...maybe i'll do it tonight though now that I've had a couple of good sleeps.
cally- L really wanted to go and see the thomas train at puffing billy (local steam train), but we just missed it as it finished up last week- they run it a couple of times a year. we said we would take him on puffing billy one day next week though if he feels up to it. I'm hopping for tuesday, but i guess we'll just have to wait and see and make a decision the day before.
mp - he is having panadol and i also have a morphine type medicine. he is eating little bits and pieces but not much. we just went up the street and bought lemonade icy poles and ice cream so hopefully he has some of that tonight.
post the foccacia recipe on here please. it sounds awesome!
the leap pads are great. awesome for long car trips/airport etc.
345 g all-purpose flour
6 g salt
4 g white sugar
10 g active dry yeast
dried or fresh herbs (def lots of fresh rosemary and some oregano and parsley usually)
1 g ground black pepper
15 ml olive oil
235 ml water
extra olive oil olive oil
Toppings - grated cheese, cherry tomatoes, spinach, capsicum, goats chese, smoked salmon - anything really Directions
Stir together the flour, salt, sugar, yeast, garlic powder, herbs and black pepper. Mix in the oil and water.
When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 230 degrees C. Punch dough down; place on greased baking sheet. Pat into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle. add toppings.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm
i havent been as creative as usual - i am just so busy!
the foccacia is realyl really great and pretty quick. they love making it with me. i do it on weekend for lunch or dinner with some meat/egg with it.
wed night we always have spag bol. its the only way J will eat carrots and zucchini and spinach. the only other vegie he ever eats is corn on the cob.
ummm other things on our menu rotation at the moment - must admit i still make kids dinner and ours sep a lot of the time, nanny gives them dinne 2 days a week so i kinda have to
Mac cheese w spinach and tuna
Salmon patties - baked ones (i make small balls which boys love) with fennel and carrot
HOmemade pizzas - coles have amazing bases in the pane toscano range in the bread section
zucchini slice (though boys now claim they dont like it)
omelettes
crepes - can make savoury ones with cheese, tomato, smoked salmon, cold meat, avo etc - either wrap or grill them. then sweet ones for dessert
Fajitas and tacos a hit
shep pie with mixed mash on top
chops and veg
kebabs - they love anything on a skewer
Chicken wings/drumsticks - 'sticky chicken' and rice
chicken and chickpea pilau - massive hit atm - casn post thjat recipe if you like - super easy and a hit with the boys
I also recently bought a rice cube so make fun rice things with the boys.
Look in the bread section - that brand 'la toscana' is like bake yourself breads... they have pizza bases and I find one with lots of toppings feeds the boys well. youput tom paste and toppings on and some cheese and cook 15 min in the oven. they are v yummy, thin crust. obv not as healthy as making your own but a good stand by. they are in a clear packet with black labelling. they were on sale 2 for the price of one this week too.
rice cube - google it. it is like alittle cube you can put rice and veg/meat etc in and it makes it into a cube shape - fun with the kids
Baked risotto also works well as a meal
Sticky chicken is great - i often have it uncooked in freezer and then away you go. basically make up a sauce of honey, soy, tom chutney, sesame seeds, hoisin (or any combo), garlic and giner. Tip over chicken drumsticks and marinade for a while (at least 2 hrs, ideally all day). cook in oven around 30 min until cooked through. all kids i have given them to devour them (cass did your girls like them when i gave them to you when you were sick). i serve with corn on cob and/or homemade fried rice - cook some rice and stir fry it with peas, corn, carrot, egg and little bit of soy.
Shep pie i either use leftover roast meat and veg and gravy as a base or make one up with mince, vegies, tom paste, stock and spices. Top with mashed veg - usually potato and cauli or potatoe and parsnip or pot and pumpkin or sweet pot and potato and bake in oven until brown. YOu may like to add some cheese to the top. IF boys havent been eating well i mix some egg intot he veg for extra protein.
I also make Borekas.. get puff pastry and make triangles with diff fillings:
Spinach and fetta and cottage cgheese/ricotta
Mushrooms and cottage cheese and spring onion
Leftover roast meat and vegies - delicious
Brush with egg, sprinkle on sesame seeds (or not) and bake for 15-20 til golden. YUM
Boys love these!
Will post chicken pilau recipe later - its a winner and it is quick and easy.
(these r ecipes i made up, pilau is a nigella special)
MP, those foccaccias sound divine. Gonna try that with the girls, not sure when though, weekends in December are starting to look a bit crazy!! BTW what is a rice cube??
Ginger we had a few nights where I was doing wraps in warm yiros bread. I rotated through some cold roast chicken, salmon, and little chevapchi sausages with an assortment of different salads, cream cheese, marinated capsicum, chutney etc. Kids loved it and I felt like I was only in the kitchen for 10 minutes doing it and practically zero clean-up afterwards. Slack but effective.
Hmmm, that could be my domestic motto: slack but effective...
enjoy - boys will love doing the pizzaswith you. and call it sticky chicken, let them eat with their hands and you cant go wrong!
x
ps fish goujons are another favourite - i do them in panko crumbs (either sole or flat head usually) YUM
and also fish with pasta. coat some fish (flathead usually) in flour and pan fry in olive oil. cook pasta and add a tomatoe based sauce (i have this usually in the freezer but you can also use a bought one). put fish in chunks thorugh it or on top. YUM for the whole family - kids love it.
eta - slack but effectove - love it!
those gyros wraps sound great. x
Will have to bookmark this page so I can come back for some inspiration!!
Ginger - we've got some common standby's of sausage casserole, I do a chicken bolognaise, chili con carne. We also do a lot of stirfrys. I get the Good Taste magazine from Woollies which usually has some good things in it.
i can TOTALLY vouch for MPs Sticky Chicken... OM NOM NOM!!!!!!
I would love the pilau recipe MP. i used to go crazy for the stuff in Fiji.
and wraps! what brillo timing! just bought some in search of dinner inspiration. ahhh gotta love a shared wavelength girls
slack but effective. I'll take it
sorry for the short one-liners (minus the humour lol); we are in the land of sick 1 year old so the sky is falling on our heads hahahaha.
oh man, now i want a lamb borek. arrrghhhh!
staple food in our house is usually either Italian inspired or Indian/fijian inspired. i stand by that coconut fish curry would have to be one of the easiet yet yummiest for everyone...
if you are feelin' 70s go the tuna mornay or apricot chicken. the kids love it!
Arte: funnily enough, my mum let the cat out of the bag with my brother and he 'friended' me on FB. so he now knows and apparently there was some poo hitting the proverbial fan when the family got together for a chat about it haha. it would of been a shock i guess.
I miss JM and Isa, and Oz....
(was that subtle ??)
ummm, not much else to report really. bought L a portable DVD player from ALDI for $20 and have popped it under the tree. I will have to head into myer and get the leap pad i reckon. i can totally see her using it til the cows come home.
please send 'get better and sleep well' vibes our way oh man we need them!
Tomato Pilaf 1 cup basmati rice, washed and drained
1 tomato, peeled and crushed
2 tbsp butter/olive oil
1 tsp salt to taste
½ tsp sugar
1 ½ -2 cups hot chicken stock
Fresh parsley for garnish
Wash the rice several times with warm water and drain. Cover the rice with warm water and leave it for 15-20 minutes and drain. If you do not have time for this, just wash the rice and then drain.
In a medium saucepan, sauté butter/olive oil and tomatoes for about 4-5 minutes over medium heat. Then stir in rice and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add hot stock, salt and sugar (If you leave the rice in water before cooking, use 1 ½ cup hot water otherwise use 2 cups).
Stir well and turn heat low when it boils. Close the lid and simmer till the rice absorbs all the water. Do not stir while cooking.
Let it cool for a while with the lid on. Before serving, stir well with a wooden spoon. Then place to a serving plate and garnish with fresh parsley.
ENJOY - I forgot about this one but I make it all the time. you can also add halved chicken thighs or lentils to it.
I will post the other one from home when I have the recipe with me.
and here is another variation I do with burghul and mince beef
300g beef mince
2 cups chopped onions
1 cup burghul
Tomato passata - about 500ml
2 cups water
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbs olive oil
3 tbs butter
Parsley, green capsicum for garnish.
In a large pot add olive oil and turn on heat to medium. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes. Next, add the beef and cook for 5 minutes or until browned, add burghul and stir. Next add tomato passata, water, salt and black pepper and stir until well combined. Turn heat to medium-low, add butter on top and cover pot, cook for 20 minutes, stir every 5-10 minutes. After 20 minutes of cooking, fluff up pilaf with a fork and cover again, turn off heat and let stand for 10-15 minutes until fluffy. garnish
Kids love both of these...\
This weekend I am trying to make home made gnocchi with the boys... will let you know how that goes
ps i also love cass fish curry - gotta get that one cooking again, boys loved it (and so did I and DH).
Makes up for New Clothes War -Day 2 this morning.
. Just think of all the fun A will have making up stories about how he got his scar 
.
oh man we need them!
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