How to make your own snow

Snow is likely to appear any day it seems and I had completely forgotten about the time that Elfy left them a task of making their own snow.

It was really simple to make. They used a packet of corn flour and a few glugs of oil. 

I still have a bowl full of it and it still makes that crunchy snow sound. Great little idea for the children to do and adults too. I loved having a play with it.

This time next year Rodney

I'd love to be typing that this time next year I'll be a millionaire like the common phase from "Only Fools and Horses" but sadly that won't be the case for 2015. Perhaps 2016.

I do have a few plans though for 2015.

• Do something that scares me - This will no doubt be a visit to a butterfly farm as they are possibly the one thing that truly petrifies me.

• Go camping - "The Sweetpeas" have never been camping. (There was that one time when they were small when Alyssa insisted on camping out in the back garden. I set up the tent which was no easy thing in our teeny-tiny garden. She then decided that inside looked much warmer and I ended up camping by myself.)

• Empty sink - Strange I know but what I mean by this is a little challenge to myself to not go to bed until I have washed and dried up everything. I have a habit of using the excuse of it needs to soak when it obviously doesn't and I'm just being lazy.

• Need or want? - I need to be even more frugal with my money. I save at the moment but i could save more by not being tempted to buy things that I don't need. I've set up a little savings account and named it "memory making". I want to have enough money in there one day to buy a VW Camper van and take "The Sweetpeas" on an awesome road trip one summer. I'd love them to be able to remember having fun times together. 

BaBylis Pro Perfect Curl

Alyssa has beautiful, wavy blonde hair and it's now quite long. Our friend, Anna, has obviously been on the 'nice' list this year as she got a BaBylis Pro Perfect Curl for Christmas.

Whilst we were visiting, Alyssa had the chance to be a model. 

She absolutely loved it being pampered and having a bit of girly time. I think the results are fantastic and would be lovely for a party or a wedding. 

"Anna is like a big sister. I don't have one so I'll have Anna."

Harvey preferred to stay away for fear that his hair may get curled too.

Game of the day - review of Prickly Pile-Up

Alyssa had asked for games for Christmas and I'd bought her this one from The Parsely Pot in Huntingdon. I'd never seen it before, (this is mainly why I like looking in those fantastic local shops) and I thought it looked great fun.

It's called Prickly Pile-up (and can also be bought from Amazon for £10.95 currently.)

I didn't realise that we'd end up playing it all afternoon and again once they were ready for bed.

The aim of the game is to balance the porcupines on a base of 3 of them but, as you can see from the photographs, they made up their own rules.

I absolutely love how they started to work together to see how high they could build their tower of hedgehogs / porcupines.

Immense smugness from them and all from a simple wooden game. Not a battery in sight.

Lego can be emotional

Harvey had some Lego for Christmas both from myself and Santa. I loved just taking a few photographs of him following the instructions.

Gingerbread House

It all got a bit emotional when he left. I think it is safe to say that he shall be missed.

(Yes, that is a Hallowe'en outfit that Harvey is wearing even though it was Christmas Eve.)

They left their chosen goodies out for Santa which this year consisted of Cadbury's chocolate fingers, pickled onion Monster Munch and Coca-Cola.

Lost

Night out

Elfy was found in the back of the car the next morning.

He'd obviously been out with me too somewhere on my work's Christmas meal.

We had gone to The Golden Lion Hotel in St Ives and I'd just like to say how absolutely superb it was all night. The service was amazing and the food was completely outstanding.

Felt pens

Last day of school

Alyssa thought it was hilarious that he was going to be having the day at work with me.

Naughty or Nice?

Chunky had been incredibly naughty and Elfy had recognised that he shouldn't be allowed his book.

Petal absolutely loved her story book....

... Harvey soon learnt the word "confiscated" and what it means.

Sunny Christmas

Elfy must also like to shop with Phoenix Trading as this Christmas beach sticker card can be found there