Playdough

Playdough, an essential ingredient for childhood.
My Mum used to make our playdoh and now I make it for my kids and playgroup.

This is the recipe I use. I love the final consistency, it lasts for ages if kept sealed, and doesn't feel sticky on your fingers.

1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon oil
1/4 cup salt
food colouring


Mix all ingredients together in a saucepan, adding the colour last.
Stir over medium heat, until mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
Remove from pan and knead until blended. You'll need to sprinkle just a very small amount of flour on your bench for this.
Store in a plastic bag or airtight container when cooled.

Sugar-free savoury muffins

This recipe is a firm favourite in our family, with the added bonus of being sugar free.
They are so quick and easy to make, and once you've mastered them, it's easy to mix the flavours to your own preferences. Adding sun-dried tomatoes is nice.
The recipe uses regular flour, but I often use wholemeal instead, as it's healthy and the muffins are more filling, making them go further.

Eat the muffins on the day they are baked, or the day after, and keep in the fridge.
You can make extras and freeze as soon as they are cooled. They reheat really well in the microwave, or defrost in the fridge.

Spinach and Fetta Muffins
Makes 12-18, depending on size of muffin pan


1 egg
3/4 cup water
2 cups self-raising flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
100g fetta cheese, crumbled
1 cup finely shredded baby spinach leaves
2/3 cup grated cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese - optional


Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Lightly grease a non-stick muffin pan
Mix together all ingredients except the parmesan, until just combined.
Spoon into prepared muffin pan.
Sprinkle with parmesan - optional.
Bake 15-18 minutes.

Autumn craft

Today was playgroup day. We're coming towards the end of autumn and there are beautiful leaves on trees everywhere at the moment.

In celebration, we decided to create our own autumn trees.

The fun began yesterday, as we went out in the cold to collect our leaves. My three year old boy absolutely loved this activity. He was so proud to be helping to get ready for playgroup and was careful to select leaves that were dry and colours that he liked.

Toddlers being toddlers, it was important to make sure that the glue or paste we used was non-toxic, as you just have to expect that SOMEONE will taste some...

I used the recipe below. It made more than enough for a dozen eager toddlers who used MUCH more than required!


General purpose paste
1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1 tsp vinegar


Mix flour and sugar in saucepan. 
Add half the water and stir to smooth paste.
Add rest of water and vinegar and stir until smooth.
Stir over medium heat until the paste thickens.
Cool.


Paste can be kept sealed in refrigerator for up to 6 months.


Once at playgroup, the pasting fun began. The kids all enjoyed sticking their leaves onto the tree pictures on the paper. Such a fun way to celebrate autumn. Here's a finished product.

Slow Cooker

I realise I'm probably a little behind the times, but I've just purchased my first slow cooker and I'm loving it!
Even just thinking about the possibilities has me excited, and my mouth watering.

But it's not the food itself that has got me feeling so good - it's  knowing that I no longer have to deal with the crazy rush of preparing dinner at that time of the day that we all know is the worst for toddlers and young children - the hours from 4-6pm.

If you're a parent, you know what I'm talking about!

The simplicity of being able to load the slow cooker in the morning, and then just dish it out at dinner time is divine. And if kids and parents need to eat at different times, we can still have the same meal, just kept on warm.

Ahhhh.

Playgroup

I'm involved in a playgroup with my children each week, and have been for the past couple of years.

For those of you who have been to playgroup before, you know the benefit for you kids and hopefully for you also.

If you've never been to playgroup before and you have young children at home, I encourage you to explore the options in your area.

Playgroups can vary greatly depending on where they are and who they are run by, and what facilities and resources are available to the group. Generally speaking, they are a time for young children to mix and play together, and for parents to also get to know each other and enjoy doing some of the 'messy' things with your children that, quite frankly, you don't want to do at home!

My children look forward to playgroup each week, and love being able to play with toys they don't have at home, play with other children in their age group, and do craft each week.

I also look forward to catching up with the other Mums and watching my boys interact and learn with the other children.

Toy Library

I joined our local toy library last year, and don't know why I didn't join sooner.
The boys love being able to look at and play with the toys while we choose what to borrow for the next fortnight.
I realise not all toy libraries are the same, but the range at mine is great.
Everything is sorted into categories such as building, vehicles, role play, costumes, games, puzzles, music, outdoors, manipulation, baby, and larger toys like play kitchens and large vehicles.

Yes, there is a yearly fee, and yes, there is duty to do each term, however this just hasn't been a burden and the kids love being able to swap the toys and have a larger range of things to play with at home.
It's so good to be able to borrow costumes for parties, or just for home, and have an ever changing assortment of puzzles to keep them learning and developing.

I encourage you to search the internet or contact your local council and enquire about a toy library in your area. It will save you money in the long term by only buying the basics in toys and borrowing more specific items.

Many toy libraries also have party packs, which you can borrow for your child's birthday party. They often include larger outdoor play items, outdoor games, and tables and chairs. A great and affordable way to create your own party at home without the need to spend on a play centre or other entertainment.

Food Steamer = sanity

When my first child reached 5 months, it was time to start introducing solids.
I decided that I would start making my own baby food purees, and so invested in a three tier food steamer.
I LOVED IT!
It made life so much easier to chop vegies, place in the steamer layers and set the timer.
I quickly got into a routine of making a week's worth of meals at a time, and freezing the portions in ice cube trays, and then in small food containers of assorted colours, making a chart for the fridge so I knew what was in each colour container.
It took about 3-4 hours each week, but I was so thankful as each week passed that I had done the hard yards and all the preparation in advance.

Beginnings

Let's be real...no one tells you the truth about parenting until after you're already in the middle of it!

I love being a Mum, but the truth is nothing truly prepares you for the challenges you face except actually living through them and working out your own strategies.

I'm hoping this blog will provide funny stories, the truth about the joys and struggles, and lots of practical ideas for feeding your family, weekend activities, and learning and playing together.