'cleaning' the house in 5 steps

I am not as house proud as some. People coming over is generally when I whiz round and get some cleaning done. Lately though I have been on a spring cleaning buzz, trying to throw away some stuff so that there is less stuff to tidy! What I prefer to do is organise it somewhere and keep it.. But these two things are not always compatible. We have lived here two years and I am still improving the 'everything has a place' rule. In particular we have a new kitchen (yay!) with less storage so I am inspired to purge. Tis hard work but I don't want to grow up to be a hoarder. Wish me luck.

So, imagine a last minute visitor at your house and  things could look better... Here are my 5 steps to a 'clean' house. You can now benefit from my time saving tips gleaned from years of laziness (other priorities)! These will not be for everyone. If you are a neat freak, don't read any more... I think this list can be done in about 15-20 minutes?! Hopefully beds are made and table and bench is wiped. I am have been working on that this year. Gosh for shame, how old am I? Here you go, 5 steps to house reasdy!

1. Vacuum the floor in the main room and hallway if possible. This may involve putting toys away. Toy baskets are essential here or put them under a child's bed for another clean up later! I have a stick vacuum that I love, so this step is now super fast.

2. Clean the toilet. Ground breaking stuff right. Toddlers in the house means this just needs doing often. Don't skimp here!

3. If your hard floors need attention wipe around the corners of the room with a damp used tea towel or hand towel you then throw in the wash

4. Get your dishes in dishwasher! In extreme cases they can go in the oven or a cupboard! Revolutionary I know.

5. Put clothes in laundry baskets. Having a basket in each room is a bit of an intermediate step for me, I just don't seem to have a putting clothes away mojo. Ada is always pulling out more...

So there you have it! All done. Just enough tidy...

14 months

My little miss is mama's girl this week. Olive comes to sit on my knee whenever she can and asks to be picked up to watch what is going on as much as she can get away with. My action baby is sitting still with me, it's lovely. Olive is into everything and all the recent photos of her seen to document her desire to get messy often. 50% of a wash is her stuff. Sigh.

Olive loves the swing and her baby at the moment. Baby goes to bed with Olive and I am offered to kiss baby last thing at night, through the cot rails, rather than Olives own face! Our house is back in multiple baby land. Prams are big business around here.

Olives new skills include climbing and being silly on purpose. Words that begin with b are popular (baby, bird and bath) and d words are gathering speed (down). I'm glad I used a handful of baby signs, eat, drink, more, all done, sleepy and down. They are all useful at some point in the day. Olive shakes her head no a lot and nods yes a bit. When she wants something she does an awesome face with eyes lit up and a big mouth with a long inward gasp. It's adorable. Pointing and grizzling are other key communication features... New foods are frozen blueberries and have I mentioned baked beans already?

Onward and upward darling girl. Xxx

3 day toilet training, ah try three months?

I had heard of this technique and wanted to get in on it before summer was over. Two of my friends had it work a treat for them. Notice I am writing this at the beginning of spring, not a good sign? When I read up about it they recommended doing it before 2 and a half so in that sense our timing was about perfect. The websites recommended that the kid can communicate, is interested in toileting and can hold on, all things Ada was doing. The gist of this technique is to go COMPLETELY nappy free, bye bye nappies forever and don't look back. This method assumes that after about 15 'successes' over the three days your little one will understand the sensation and be able to associate that with hopping on the potty in time to go! Sounds a dream... lets try it! On day one you stay home and drink lots of drinks, hopefully hanging out in your house with wooden floors or in the kitchen or outside if it is summer time. As soon as the kiddo starts to wee (or poop, eep) pick them up and pop them on the potty and CELEBRATE your head off for ANY successful business in there. Day two is similar but you venture out in the avo, going to the toilet/potty before you leave and finally on day three you venture out in the morning, again sitting on the potty before leaving. 

At the time Ada only drank water and definitely didn't enjoy being told what to do. A bit of a stubborn streak/two year old assertion perhaps? So my little lady couldn't be convinced to drink more nor submit to trying to sit on the potty when asked. Also miss Ada does about 2 wees during a normal day and just held on and held on, after about 5 days she had only 'let go' out of a nappy about 6 times. The first time we tried she got sick, developed a UTI and was in severe rebellious mode when it came to the potty. On trial two, we took it sooo easy, Ada was in charge of whether she complied by sittng on the potty before bed or leaving the house and she got whisked to the toilet as soon as she said 'wees'. It still took weeks for our success rate to climb to 15. It even took days before we had an accident on the floor, these were all at someone elses house! SORRY GUYS. She actually did more wees on other peoples floors than our own. Suddenly it clicked and she was going to the toilet well for wees. Ada held on number twos until nappies went on for naps/bedtime (I didn't abandon nappies for 3 hour sleeps or overnight, I think some folk do!). Then that all clicked into place too. It is months later and she still gets help on the toilet and will let go at Playcentre rather than realise that she needs get to the loo in time... But, these moments are fewer and farther between now. So I would still recommend the three day technique for those who are game, but we took about three weeks for the first lots of very regular successes and three months for her to be almost in charge of it all herself. Phewf....

Maybe Olive will want to stay in nappies forever?

(p)raising girls

I used to be 'for women' but not a 'feminist', a distinction that I no longer see the need to make. I kinda think women don't get a fair deal and I want to see that change, sounds a bit like a feminist I guess. Now that I have two girls I really care about what works with how I parent them. I do see boys and girls as different and that will lead to some differences in how we relate to each, but articles like this one show me that as a parent I want to be mindful how I talk to my girls, particularly because they are girls. It talks about the messages girls generally get versus the messages boys get during schooling and how they impact on the child's desire to make an effort. Kids (often girls) who are always 'good' and 'clever' and always told so seem to find it very unsettling when they can't do something first try (I can still relate to this at times!). However the message 'if you would just put in some effort I am sure you will succeed' explains to a kid (often a boy who can't sit still for example), that we persist when things are difficult and that success is the result of effort. It sounds simple enough...

There seems to be lots of study and discussion about what sort of praise works. At Playcentre for example there is a general philosopy to be as specific as possible with praise (Faber and Mazlish talk about this in their book, How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk). This article here echoes the first one I mention above and encourages the reader to praise girls effort during the process rather than the only at the outcome. “The kids who are getting this process praise, those are the kids who want the challenge.” Praising persistence, engagement and perseverance through frustration builds resilience.

This is easy to say and hard to do but I am willing to practice. Ada is 3 months off three and up until now really has flitted between activities both at home and at Playcentre. Though it seems this is changing and I'm excited to see her interests develop. Until then we will continue to sing let it go and play with stickers!

Here she is on a gym trip persisting with the rings, she loves them! Go girl!

friday foodie! banana coconut cookies

Banana-Coconut Cookies

There are loads of these recipes on the internet. They are gluten and egg free, often dairy free but I added chocolate chips! The recipe is quite forgiving so use up any nuts and seeds you have. 

Makes about 15-20 cookies, depending on size. Both of the girls loved them and they were so easy to make, mashy, mixy, bake-y, done!

2 large very ripe bananas, mashed
40 ml coconut oil (or vegetable oil)
1 cup rolled oats 

80g ground almonds
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup chopped walnuts/sunflower seeds in whatever ratio you have
1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Heat the oven to 180C. Line two baking sheets with baking paper.

In a large bowl, stir together the banana and coconut oil. In another bowl, whisk together the oats, ground almonds, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir to combine. Stir in the seeds, coconut, nuts, and chocolate chips. 

Drop by the heaping tablespoon onto the prepared baking sheets. With the palm of your hand, gently press down the tops of each cookie to flatten slightly. Bake until the cookies are very lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

good reads: grammar

If you are a fan then you may already know I have a penchant for the old exclamation mark and also a wee love of doing things 'right'. Hmm more on that another day. Have you noticed how in text messaging people who don't over! punctuate! seem really down beat? How are you. Yes. I'll be there. You know what I mean right? If you do, or don't, you need to read this little gem. You'll either feel better about your addiction! Or maybe realise it is time to get on board.

Here is a great article talking about the ubiquitous nature of exclamation marks these days:  It's Too Late. Exclamation Marks Are Unstoppable Now.

a little catch up

Oh hello blog, it's been a while...

Winter got us good over the last few weeks, life has been quieter than usual! This week has been SO much better. Hooray!

Seaweed+rice=sushi yums

Olive+water=happy

Ada+sugar=crazy happy

Farm+torrential rain=car party

Blue icing=dreamy coordinated lipstick

Paint+hands=good times

Olive+all the pearls

moving to a big bed

I loved moving Ada into her big bed and setting up her room. When she attempted climbing out of her cot I panicked and got a big bed ASAP. Ada didn't actually become a daredevil from then on so I waited until Ada was about 28 months old. We painted the drawers to co ordinate with her bed spread and I had some mint green paper lanterns I added to some twinkly lights to hang like a garland above her bed. Previously we found some Peter Rabbit pictures at a garage sale and saved them in the wardrobe and they happened to match too.

This is an old photo! Olive's banner and birth announcement are still in the room. 

The big bed went so smoothly the first few weeks. Ada loved her special duvet cover an the goldilocks doll that went with it. We used a rolled up towel tucked under the sheet to keep her in bed but she has fallen out twice, I think since we took it out actually. Daytime sleeps has taken a knock since then but seem to be back in favour. This makes me very happy. I have some Winnie the Pooh and Peter Rabbit on iTunes and a few audio books that we play for Ada to help keep her interest in her bed. The hardest things out the big bed has been Ada waking up at 515am and wanting to start her day. Previously she would have happily hung in her cot. We might put on a cd or let her have the light on to read books, often we get to stay in bed till 6am this way. I'm keen to try a gro clock but we haven't got desperate enough to go and buy one. 

Bedtime selfie fun. Monkey was top dog back then! Funny how those things change, Ada doesn't have a fave toy at the moment. Sorry this is SOO fuzzy, turns out a few tiny LED lights don't provide much light...

We chose a toddler bed so that there would be room for the bed and the cot but have since decided to keep the girls separate while Ada wakes so early in particular. Many friends who went straight to a single bed report that their kids don't get out of bed on their own! I learnt this too late!!

we love the beach

We had the best little holiday last week! Summer in July in the Bay of Plenty! We saw so many lovely friends and their bubbas too! Unfortunately we came home to a raft of illnesses, making the memories so much sweeter and 'long ago'. Ah well, onward!

brazillian fish stew

Here is my food writing attempt: OMG you have to try this simply nourishing, delicious, easy, dairy and gluten free recipe!

Ooh I made something new - if you see Hoki on special try this. I hardly ever make something new and I seldom cook when both girls are awake. But they were sick so easily sorted with about 5 raisins each, sitting in their highchairs, hanging in the kitchen. Another miracle is having all the ingredients on hand for something you haven't tried before. This is an adaptation of Brazillian fish stew, Moqueca, I found on the internet. I wanted a fish soup that was dairy and thai curry paste free. It was so delicious and so easy only a few minutes of prep and stirring. The kids were sick so they didn't even eat the rice I had with it let alone the soup, my girls don't eat a lot of fish yet!

Most basic photo to give you an idea, maybe your imagination would have been better?!

 Ingredients:

• 600-700g hoki, cut into large pieces. A firm fish is recommended so cut each 

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 Tbsp lime or lemon juice

• Salt and pepper

• Olive oil

• 1 cup chopped spring onion, or 1 medium onion diced

• 1/2 yellow and 1/2 red capsicum, diced

• 1 can of whole tomatoes

• 1 Tbsp paprika (Hungarian sweet)

• 1 chopped chili/pinch of chili flakes

• 1 large bunch of coriander, chopped with some set aside for garnish

• 1/2 can coconut cream, then fill to the top with water (you can freeze the rest).

How to:

1. Place fish pieces in a bowl, add the minced garlic and lime juice so that the pieces are well coated. I didn't have enough juice in my old lime so I added a splosh of white vinegar.  So the fish was covered. Sprinkle generously all over with salt and pepper. Keep chilled while preparing the rest of the soup.

2. If you are planning on serving the soup with rice, start the rice.

 

3. Back to the soup. In a large pot, coat the bottom with about 2 Tbsp of olive oil (in fact I used rice bran oil) and heat on medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook with salt, a few minutes until softened. Add the capsicum, paprika, and chili. Cook for a few minutes longer, until the capsicum begins to soften. Stir in the chopped tomatoes. The original recipe adds some green onions here but I didn't have them or miss them. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, uncovered. Stir in the chopped coriander. Add the coconut cream and water and bring back to a boil. 

4. Add the hoki and then bring soup to a simmer, reduce the heat, cover, and let cook for about 5 minutes. Watch for when all the fish has turned white. You may want to add more salt, lime or lemon juice, paprika, pepper, or chili to get the soup for your taste. 

Garnish with coriander and serve with rice or with crusty bread.

where the wild things are

To recommend this book is rather obvious but I wasn't prepared for how much Ada would love it. We read it five times a day when it arrived in the house. Such a lovely tale balancing a real scenario and real feelings with mystery and whimsy. Maurice Sendak was indeed a great children's book author. 

"And Max the king if the wild things was lonely and wanted to be where someone loved him best of all."

joyeux anniversaire Olive!

My baby! A toddler! Where has the last year gone? Let's see shall we...

Happy Birthday to my sweet girl! You love dinner and hate breakfast. You hate having things snatched away but love to share. You run whenever you can and particularly like to wear shoes. You get excited at the Playcentre gate and when Dad gets out the front pack. You run to give Ada or Dad a hug if they have been away from you, you are always happy to see your sister in fact. You love to play with water and sometimes hurry us along to get the bath running at the end of the day.

Olive you bring sparkle and softness wherever you go. You are adorably mischievous and so persistent. You communicate so clearly without words and you are enjoying being able to sign some words too. I love that you are generous with your affection and that I get snuggles and kisses and now over excited face slaps. Hmm

I am so proud to be your Mum Olive! What will the next year bring?

Love from Mama

eleven months.
ten months and walking.
nine months.
eight months.
seven months.
six months and crawling.
five months.
four months
three months and smiling
two months.
one month and no longer yellow
Ada at one year!

souper easy: red lentil and spicy sausage soup

Soup is one reason I like winter. I love a good one pot meal, soup is the original one pot right? It is so easy to cook a big batch and have it there for lunches a few days after. OK I confess I haven't got the kids to eat this but adults have to eat too right? Does anyone else have success with toddlers and soup, I'd love to hear any tips and tricks!

For this fast, easy and nourishing soup you will need:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion 
• 2 cloves garlic 
• 2 chorizo or similar spicy sausages
• 1 red chili (or chili powder to your taste)
• 1 cup red lentils 
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 1L chicken or vegetable stock
• sea salt
• cracked black pepper

Method:

1. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the oil, diced onion, crushed garlic, chorizo and chilli and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the onion is tender and the chorizo is golden, slice that sausage.
2. Add the lentils, stock, bring to boil and cook for 5 minutes to get those lentils started well, the acid in the tomatoes inhibits their cooking (so Ray McVinnie tells me in a Sunday Magazine one time). 
3. Add the tomatoes in for the last 10-15 minutes of cooking time.
4. Taste for seasoning, add salt and pepper.
5. Great with ciabata or pita bread or you know, toast. 

Yum! The better your sausage the better the soup I think. Vegetarians could omit the sausage and add some smoked paprika and some capsicum and this soup would still be awesome.

 

an ambitious read

Last night I had no bookmark. I had to remember I'm up to page 19. I'm enjoying this so far, I'm almost one fortieth of the way through! It will be a miracle if I finish it! Wish me luck...

What are you reading? Any recommendations out there?