Monthly Archives: December 2010

Housework and Fun?? It is possible!

Posted on by Mika
3

What is it about the New Year looming that make us scrurry to get our houses in order before New Years Eve?

If you are like me and have been enjoying the Christmas break tooo much but now the mess is getting under your skin, here is a post from New Year’s Eve last year. It really did work, with the kids help, we got the house in order and had fun at the same time!

Can you guess what I’ll be doing today?!

It’s been a great week of relaxing. Yesterday, we went on another of my favourite bushwalks in Khandallah that ends up at the Khandallah Playground.

This morning, hubby and I worked on our goals for the year.

Next, was getting the house back in order!

On small pieces of paper we wrote what job needed to be done and a fun a game. The aim was to do the job for 20 mins, then stop and play the game as a family for 10mins. We put all the pieces of paper in a container and took turns drawing out the job and associated game. This worked well for our children aged 8, 7 and 5…my 2 year old pottered around, and helped out here and there. It also kept me from getting overwhelmed by focusing on a small job rather than the entire house….oh! and focusing on the game at the end didn’t harm either! We also took plenty of food breaks, and kept things light and fun!

This is what we got done today:

JOB: My youngest daughter’s room. GAME: Musical Statues

JOB: My son’s room. GAME: Hide and seek

JOB: Laundry. GAME:Trampoline

My hubby flipping the kids on the tramp

JOB: Kitchen. GAME: “Don’t eat the Prophet!” (An alternative to “Dont eat Pete” that the kids were taught at church. I have pictures of prophets that I scattered on the floor, then we put a lolly on each of the prophet’s face. One person covers their eyes or goes out of the room, while the group chooses one of pictures to be “it”.  When the player returns, they eat the lollies one at a time; but the minute they touch the picture that is “it” we all yell out “DON’T EAT THE PROPHET” OR “DON’T EAT PETE!” Their turn is over and the next player leaves the room. Continue until all have had a turn.)

JOB: Hallways. GAME: Tickle Monster

JOB: Family Room. GAME: Watched a DVD before bedtime.

Well, I’m off to play Guitar Hero which we rented to rock in 2010!

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.

I also appreciate your lovely comments, I love reading them!

See you all in 2010!

Repost from last year http://jugglingmotherhood.com/2009/12/31/fun-and-housew…it-is-possible/

Water fun at Willowbank Park

Posted on by Mika
5

We went out exploring at Willowbank Park in Tawa today. We bypassed the playground, and crossed the river to see where the bush walk would lead us.

We found a fantastic sturdy pine tree branch to catapult the kids into the air.

The stepping-stones across the river was a great find (but I was a bit nervous I would fall into the water with my camera!)

We explored along the river and the kids had fun finding sticks and leaves to throw into the water and watch the current take them away.

We found a small waterfall. The kids loved the sensation of the water rushing over their hands and feet.

My 6 year old fell a couple of times, and had a lovely muddy bottom to show for it.

We ended our outing with the kids favourite activity…throwing rocks into the river.

We have all been enjoying our time at home over the last couple of days. I was almost tempted to stay inside today, as the kids were so content playing with their toys (especially since they bought some new toys yesterday with their Christmas money from Grandad. They were in heaven.) You never know when the next stint of bad weather will come your way, so I thought we’d better get out of the house (and leave the laundry and cleaning for another day!)

Christmas 2010 Highlights

Posted on by Mika
6

Going to the Telecom Tree on Christmas Eve with the Family.

Then, heading over to join the big crowd outside the house in Oriental Parade, to try and make enough noise to make the sound activated Christmas lights light up.

Watching the Nativity scene in the Joy to the World DVD on Christmas morning on our bed with the kids.

The kids made Christmas presents for the family this year. I loved seeing the excitement of the giver and receiver. A lot of thought and effort was put into the making of the gifts over the past couple of months. It was really special to see the kids show genuine appreciation when they received the presents. Probably one of my favourite parts of the day.

Our special banquet breakfast (lots of favourite food and drinks – kind of like our tradition of the birthday breakfast in bed, but we get to enjoy it all together, and it is at the table…rather than the bed….hehehe.)

Visiting family and loved ones.

Looking 4 months pregnant after finishing the amazing Christmas dinner that my mother prepared!

From our family to yours…may you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Wishing and Hoping…

Posted on by Mika
6

I had been waiting patiently for it. I had been a good girl, surely I wasn’t asking too much.

It finally arrived. It didn’t come in the mail, it didn’t even fit under the tree.

I had been crossing my fingers that the weather report was right, and that we would finally get some sunshine, after drizzle, cloud and rain.

Thursday was beautiful! After dropping hubby at work, the kids and I spent the whole day around the Wellington waterfront…going to the beach, playing at Waitangi Park, lounging on the bean bags near the Telecom Tree, exploring Te Papa and the waterfront.

I think the kids loved playing on the concrete blocks by Oriental Parade the most.

They loved running through the water and the waves!

After a fun day out in the sun (thank goodness for sunscreen, hats and water!) We picked up some fish ‘n’ chips and ice blocks, picked up hubby from work and had dinner at Botanic Gardens.

“You can’t beat Wellington on a good day.”

Pancakes: Comfort food with a capital “C”!

Posted on by Mika
1

The weather outside in Wellington has been “frightful” (although, nothing compared to England!)

The upside about this kind of weather, is that you can enjoy indoor activities without thinking you are missing out on the beaches, playgrounds and bushwalks ;)

It has been wonderfully busy (and at times stressfully busy!)….dinners with old friends, Christmas parties, Dance concerts, Christmas shopping (done super early…YUS!), Nativity family home evening with friends, Relief Society Christmas meeting to organise and there was a lot eating. I have to mention the chocolate fountain with strawberries, pineapple and jumbo marshmallows to dunk…oh heavenly!

Then, this past Friday night, my body shut down, and I was bedridden until Monday. Hubby took over the reigns, bless his heart, and now I am feeling a lot better! All the busyness is behind me, and now we are just gliding into Christmas!

My 5 year old and I made Cafe Pancakes from Sophie Gray’s book, “Enjoy!”. Thankfully, my son was on the ball, and asked how many eggs we needed just when I thought we were all done…phew! He saved the day!

Below is the recipe I used, which is tripled. It is enough for 1 hungry adult and 4 hungry kids.

3 3/4 cups Flour

3/4 cup Sugar

6 tsp Baking Powder

3 pinches of Salt

3 Eggs

2 1/4 cup Milk, soured with juice from a small lemon

90 g Butter, Melted

  • Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.
  • Make a well, and add the eggs.
  • Add half of the milk and mix. Then add the milk a little at a time to form a smooth batter.
  • Finally, stir in the melted butter.
  • Place a big spoonful of the batter into a warm oiled pan. When the batter forms bubbles, turn over. Then cook the otherside until golden. Repeat (you may not need to use any more oil/butter in the pan. Cooking pikelets and pancakes without oil/butter on the pan creates the smooth brown surface on the pancakes.)
  • Serve with butter and maple syrup. YUM!

Pancakes always bring back memories whenever I make and eat them. The thick pancakes drizzled (generously!) with maple syrup, reminds me of how they make them in Japan. The thin crepe-like pancakes topped with sugar and freshly squeezed lemon juice, remind me of the pancakes we made with my dad.

Sanity Saver in the Kitchen: Quick Vitamin C hit

Posted on by Mika
4

When my kids get back from school, they are HUNGRY!

I haven’t quite managed to be the kind of mum that has fresh cookies waiting for them as they walk through the door. ;) I do however have a container of pre-cut oranges in the fridge that I can just whip out at a moments notice to add a bit of variety to their afternoon tea.

If you slice along the rind (about 3/4 along) you get an easy snack that the kids can just pop in their mouth.

 

When things get out of kilter…

Posted on by Mika
2

When things start to get out of kilter, I get antsy and feel the need to re-balance. I usually try to swing in the opposite direction and really challenge my habits.

Do you remember the time I decided that our family was going to go without the TV AND computer for a week?

How about the time when I started using twitter to help me with accountability, when I wanted to kick my bad sleeping habits.

Last year, I reported back on our spending detox during the school holidays. No spending other than groceries, petrol and bills (?!?). Read how four children were entertained using no money! (I was re-reading the posts. Gosh, we had fun!)

This week, I have been going out for walks and jogs in the morning. I won’t lie to you, it has been painful to get out of bed in the morning. Once I am out the door, I admit, it does feel satisfying.

I was thinking about the benefits that are gained from creating good habits, and came up with these three:

  • The immediate and obvious benefits associated with the good habit. EG Better health and more energy when you exercise and sleep better.
  • The act of changing things up and distancing yourself from the bad habit is kind of “cleansing”.
  • Stretching yourself to achieve something worthwhile is so good for the soul.

I will be trying to repeat those things in my head when my alarm goes off in the morning this week!

5 Great Finds: Wellington Advent Calendar, Christmas Treats with the Wow Factor, Free Holiday Treats eBook

Posted on by Mika
2

WELLINGTON ADVENT CALENDAR

Check out the online interactive Wellington Advent Calendar, to see what new treat is in store for you everyday. (I love how the art work includes some of the iconic places around Wellington.)

Don’t worry, you haven’t missed out on the previous specials. Most of the offers are valid from 1 Dec-24 Dec.

For more information: http://advent.wellingtonnz.com/

CHRISTMAS TREE CUPCAKES

Karen Tack, co-creator of Hello, Cupcake? and What’s New, Cupcake? books, has a great 3 tier Christmas Tree cupcake video tutorial on jellybelly.com [via craftgossip.com].

For more information: http://www.jellybelly.com/ideas/recipes_trim_the_tree_cupcakes.aspx

CHRISTMAS CAKE POPS

What can I say, Bakerella has some serious skills! She has made some amazing Christmas themed Cake Pops. I want to eat them so bad!

For more information: http://www.bakerella.com/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-christmas/

Bakerella uses a baked cake as the base for her cake pops.

For a no bake version, check out this video tutorial using oreo cookies by My Little Cupcake!

CHRISTMAS PUDDING PUFFS

I made these mallowpuff puddings last year, and they were a hit! They are simple to make, delicious and so cute!

For more information: http://jugglingmotherhood.com/2009/12/15/in-the-kitchen-christmas-pudding-puffs/

LIST OF RECIPES AND OTHER GOODIES

Download your very own free Holiday Treats eBook from life….your way. You will have plenty of recipes to keep you busy! (I like the section in there, about how to run a cookie swap.)

For more information: http://food.yourway.net/free-holiday-treats-ebook-printables/

In the Kitchen: Quick Christmas Cupcakes

Posted on by Mika
8

The school lunches were seriously lacking the other day.

Since I had a bit of time up my sleeve, I quickly whipped up a little Christmas treat.

  • Mix up your favourite cupcake recipe (I used the Edmond’s cook recipe and used “No Egg” egg replacement since my daughter would be bringing her one to Playcentre).
  • Put half of the finished mixture in another bowl.
  • Mix in green food colouring in one bowl, and red in the other.
  • Put a spoonful of green into one side of the cupcake liner, then put a spoonful of red into the other side.
  • Don’t be too precious about how they look before they go into the oven, because the mixture automatically fills in any gaps and flattens out and rises.

RAINBOW CUPCAKES

You can mix up different colours and make a treat the kids love. They are so pretty that I don’t even ice them.

(These cupcakes were done with egg, so they seemed to rise better – even after a thorough mixing by a 3 year old!)

EDMONDS COOKERY BOOK CUPCAKES

125g butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1/2 cup caster sugar

2 eggs

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup milk

  • Cream butter, vanilla and sugar until light and fluffy
  • Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition
  • Sift flour and baking powder together.
  • Fold into creamed mixture.
  • Stir in milk.
  • Place in patty tins. (The recipe says it yeilds 18. I do 9 muffin size cupcakes with this recipe.)
  • Bake at 190 C (380 F) for 15 minutes or until cakes spring back when lightly touched. (I keep an eye on it from 12 minutes onwards)
  • Transfer to a wire rack.
  • When cold decorate as wished.

When the cats away, the mice will play….

This is what happens when you leave a 6 year old and 3 year old to lick the bowl…..handprint art on my cook book!!

Use-what-you-have Advent Calendar

Posted on by Mika
9

Since deciding at the last minute to do an Advent Calendar this year, I had precious little time to come up with a plan.

I wanted to have some sort of countdown, but I wanted to have somewhere to hold the pieces of the Nativity scene we were creating.

Then I remembered I had lots of paper bags. So I literally put a paper bag through the printer, and printed the number “1″ on the bag. (I used Pea Courtney font from kevinandamanda.com.) I was ready for the first day of December!

Boy, kids are easy to please. My children were so excited about having an advent calendar. I quote, “This is going to be the best countdown ever!”

In the bag, I put in the first pieces of the Nativity scene, an activity to do that day, and a scripture about Jesus which included something to do, that went along with that scripture.

Later on that day I completed the rest of the bags. I “zooshed” them up by printing the numbers in colour. (I did these in Publisher, and would be happy to forward the file to anyone.)

Then I just used some left over wooden pegs and satin/silky type rope to hang it from my curtain rails.

All done!

If you need a bit of inspiration on what activities to do with the kids this month, Sarah from Catching the Magic, Angie from ModernMake [via Mousehouse ] and eighteen25 have listed their wish list of activities on their blogs.

If you liked the idea of Katherine Marie Photography’s Random Act of Christmas Kindness calendar, then you’ll love that Cheri from I Am Momma Hear Me Roar has made a Good Deed Advent, with a focus on tasks that can be done (sometimes with a little help) by a 3 year old.

Family Traditions: Counting down to Christmas

Posted on by Mika
4

What’s a girl to do when she decides the day before, that she wants to do an Advent Calendar for December?!?!

First…go on the internet and drool over all the wonderful projects that
she can’t do because she hasn’t allowed enough time.

Next…decide on something simple, age appropriate and Christ centred.

We are going to be putting together this Navitity scene by adding to it each day.

We will also be doing different activities each day…reading about Jesus, random acts of kindness, showing love to family members and friends in different ways, crafts, baking etc.

Happy 1st December everyone!

(Go check out Katherine Marie Photography’s blog, she is counting down to Christmas by doing a Random Act of Kindness each day!)