#MessyPlay - Rice And Oats Edible Play

Time is something really lacking in my life at the moment. Hectic is an understatement.

I couldn't join in with Jennie's lovely linky last week as we just didn't have a moment to organise some messy play and it's really been getting to me. My first messy play involved Mini Cheddar whilst her baby brother slept. I really wanted to involve him this time and so today, while his big sister was out with my parents, I made sure I had a day just dedicated to spending quality time with my gorgeous little man. Something I haven't had chance to do that much of late.

We've been having a lovely day.

We spent the first part of the morning leisurely eating toast and playing, then we practised his standing and walking with the help of his micro scooter and then I decided to get the Tuff Spot out whilst he had a little nap so it was ready for him when he woke.

I wanted to do something fairly easy as his first experience so when he woke I got some flavoured porridge oats that I had in the cupboard and put some of them in the Tuff Spot.

He was a bit reluctant at first...

But then he dived in and there was no stopping him. He loved raking the rice and oats with his hands and feet, making patterns. He loved picking the oats up and letting it fall onto his legs - he also loved eating it! I then added some paella rice I had left over and added them to the oats.

I then slowly poured the rest of the rice into the Tuff Spot. TC loved watching the rice fall and also loved trying to catch it. He got the small cup bath toys that I had added to the play and tried to catch the rice and he also started talking and saying "Ta" to hand them to me to help him.

He then grabbed the bag of rice off me and proceeded to shake it about to get the rest of the rice out. The result was bits of paella rice flying EVERYWHERE and his laughing so much. He thought it was hilarious.

He was cleaned off with a dust down and a vest and nappy change (ready for a bath later tonight) and he even smelled of apples from the flavoured porridge oats! I scooped the rice and oats into an airtight container to use again for more messy play and then I got the vacuum cleaner out to sort the rest.

The result - one very happy baby.

This was only the second messy play we've done but it just shows how simple it can be to give your children great play activities. I'm excited for the summer and some outdoors messy play!

Now head over to Jennie's blog and check out some amazing ideas.

Tiny Ched Isn't So Tiny Anymore

This is a long overdue post.

I'm a bad Mummy as I haven't done an update about Tiny Ched since he was 12 weeks old.

On September the 28th he turned 6 months.

In 5 days time he'll be 7 months.

Yes...7 MONTHS!

I still can't believe it.

I know the time flew when Mini Cheddar was little (now she's in pre-school but that's a whole other update!) but this has gone even quicker. Once we get past Christmas I'll be starting to think about organising his 1st birthday.

Look how grown up he's getting
*weeps*

That's so scary.

TC is growing up so fast and part of me doesn't want him to. I'm enjoying him being a baby too much. I know the next few years will be incredible watching him learn, develop and grow but I just wish they weren't going so fast. In a couple of months when he's out of his Group 0+ car seat I may actually shed a tear.

Anyway, I have to say that he is an amazing baby. Not that MC wasn't - she was just a bit more high maintenance than this little man. She didn't start sleeping through properly for quite a while and suffered a bit with wind. I breastfed her until she was 6 months old too so it used to drive me mad that she was so windy.

Smiley Smilerson

TC? Well, he is breastfed too and I haven't even started to think about stopping yet. He's such a happy little boy (apart from teething urgh!). He's full of smiles and giggles. He doesn't have a dummy and I can put him in his cot at night and for naps when he's awake and he'll soothe himself to sleep quickly (something MC never really did). He also sleeps through between 10 - 13 hours a night straight. No dummy runs across the landing like we had with MC *cheers*

I'm really glad I've had my children this way around. If I'd had such a contented little soul first time, I think it would be quite a shock to have a 'normal' child!

So what's TC been up to these past 7 months?


* He's smiling
* He's giggling
* He's rolling
* He's sitting up
* He's started babbling
* He's moving (everywhere!)
* He's started eating solid food
* He's getting on great with baby led weaning -  we LOVE it!
* He's loved. Very much.

I know I've said it before but I never thought I could love another child as much as I love MC but he totally has my heart. It's amazing how much my heart has expanded and filled with equal love for both my children.

Yesterday the weather was vile and I curled up on the sofa in the afternoon with MC and TC and we chilled out together.

Right then, at that moment, I wouldn't have been anywhere else in the world.

The World According To Mini Cheddar

Sincere apologies for the lack of blogging action these past couple of weeks.

Life is a bit hectic which has meant blogging has taken a bit of a back seat.  Also, once you let things slide it's so hard to get back in the groove.  I even missed my first ever Silent Sunday yesterday!

I know! *shocked face*

Due to the horrible cold that Mini Cheddar and I suffered the other week we spent last week getting over that - therefore, last week was a bit of a 'nothing'.  I just did freelance work and sulked a bit.  I haven't really felt like blogging and I haven't really been reading any blogs either (that will be remedied this week, I promise!)

Being ill though has meant a lot of time in the house just Mini Cheddar and I which has been lovely. So much so that lately she's been coming out with some really cute things that melt my heart.

These past few months she's really found her voice and is never quiet.

She's always talking away about everything, constantly exploring and questioning.  I have to say that I am loving this age. I think 2-3 years is a really amazing period full of so much development and discovery of independence.

She'll always be my baby though.

I just wanted to share a few gems with you all.  The first couple are dedicated to 'Mr. Blooms Nursery' which she only discovered last week.



MC: I want an aubergine
Me: An aubergine?
MC: Yes! I love him!
Me: (gets a plastic aubergine from her play kitchen)
MC: (looks disheartened) It doesn't talk

   ***

MC: (throwing her arms around my neck) I love you Mummy
Me: Aw that's nice, I love you too
MC: I also love veggies

   ***

MC: (sniffing me)
Me: (laughing) So, what do I smell of?
MC: (looks at me as if I'm mad) Mummy

   ***

MC: (sitting on potty)
Me: Do you need a poo?
MC: Yes
Me: Ok then, do a poo
Me: (pretends to strain, grunts and pulls a face then giggles her head off)

   ***

MC: (eating a fig roll so fast it doesn't touch the sides) Mmmmm
Me: Is that nice?
Me: It is. It's very delicious in my tummy

   ***

MC: (Jumping on my head in the morning) I'd like my Weetabix now my tummy's rumbling

   ***

MC: My tummy is rumbling
Me: We'd best get you some food then
MC: Yes, help my tummy feel better

   ***

MC: (walking from the lounge into the kitchen where I'm busy tidying) What are you doing here Mummy?
Me: I'm cleaning
MC: (looks concerned) Come sit down and have quiet time

   ***

MC: (breaks wind and looks proud) I did a trump!

   ***

MC: (pretends to cry)
Me: What's the matter? Are you being silly?
MC: I'm crying in my home
Me: Why?
MC: I'm very sad
Me: Why?
MC: I don't know

   ***

MC: I want to watch Mickey Mouse
Me: It's not on sweetie, you'll have to watch Special Agent Oso
MC: I not like Oso
Me: Aw, he's nice
MC: I not like him (shakes head vigorously, gets up and turns TV off)

   ***

Me: (sniffing the air) Have you done a poo?

MC: No

Me: Are you sure?

MC: Yes, it was just a trump

   ***

I'm sure there will be many more of these to come!