Valentine Potato Cakes

Made for James & Orla and every last bit gone, nothing says I love you like a plate of fried potaotes and ketchup when you are nearly 4!!! x

2 x servings of left over mashed potato

handful of grated cheese

1 x beaten egg

salt and pepper

oil or butter for frying

mix the potato, cheese & egg

press into heart moulds or shape by hand if you don't have one

gently coat in flour

fry for a few mins each side

easy peasy lemon squeezy!!!

monkey magic

I have just heard about this place Monkey Forest, definately looks worth a visit, I'll let you know what its like!
http://www.trentham-monkey-forest.com/information.php?id_cat=1

On Safari!

We are season ticket holders for Knowsley safari park, I would really recommend it for a day out and for little ones I think it knocks the socks off Chester Zoo.
We have done the zoo and stared into enclosures where animals are hiding somewhere, legs get tired and James inevitably ends up lying on the footpath at some point!
But we love the safari park, there is a little fun fair with several rides suitable for little ones. There is a little farm, admittedly not as big as the likes of Stockley but it an additional activity to fill the day.  Sealion shows a few times a day! Little minature railway... and we haven't been round the actual safari park itself yet. There is a great cafe which does really good baby food as well as kids meals & plenty of space for a picnic on a sunny day. 

The safari drive means if little O is ready for her nap she can snooze as we tootle round and if we have had a sleepless night, Paul or I might even join her!! ha ha! But James loves it and always get to see all the animals and often really close up to the car. Oh and there is a car friendly, baboon free route for those who want to leave with their car in tact!!! ha ha!!! The kids will love it, I promise!

Lego Land

We recently took our 2 to Lego Land at the Trafford Centre Manchester & they had a brilliant time. Its a great day out, although I believe it does get busy at weekends, we managed to get there on a Friday & it was really quiet, we got several goes on the laser ride which James just loved.
I don't think I would pay the full entrance price which is pretty expensive for what it is but the website is doing parent & toddler tickets for £8.50 at the moment which is much better value, as is the season ticket.

http://www.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk/manchester/en/index.htm

Whats in a name?

Although he had always been brilliant with his fruit and veg as a baby and toddler, my son has recently decided to be really picky.  He will eat raw carrots, not cooked and brocolli, bananas and melon, thats about it if left to his own devices.  Of course I am doing the "hidden veg" thing in chillies, currys, bolognaises etc but I have discovered that simple rebranding can also work a treat.

Instead of pieces of apple which are refused, "Apple Chunkers" are a big hit!!!

"Monster Mash"  (basically mashed potato, sweet potato ("don't like sweet potato") and carrots ("don't like cooked carrots")) was actually requested today!!!

Now I have my thinking cap on.... Pirate Peas, Broccoli Bombers, ... what could be next!!?? x

Christening Outfits!

Well I thought that it would be easier to find an outfit for my daughter than my son but really it wasn't that easy! I really wanted a white christening dress but all the usual suspects seemed to have ivory. Maybe you'll think I am being fussy but white it had to be!!!
I ordered 2 outfits, a Mama's and Papa's one, and one from a specialist webshop - Christenings and Occasions....went for the one from Christenings & Occassions, it came within a couple of days and was perfect! Dress, shoes, cardigan, shawl .... all perfect! She looked a little angel! Didn't really behave like a little angel though bless her, she got very fed up by the end of it. But once she had her lunch she in her element enjoying all the attention!
www.christeningsandoccasions.co.uk

I'm back!!

So much for blogging!!! But I am back on it now!! xx