Mummy Christmas Fail

It so nearly could have been a failure on a catastrophic level.

The magic of Christmas - 'poof' gone in a puff of pantomime smoke.

I say nearly.

There have been a few small fails, like the handmade stocking from last year being visible around the house all year until December when in vanished without a trace. Perhaps it was snaffled by an elf.









But the big one, the one that would have been an absolute disaster; the one that would have meant broken hearts and shattered dreams quicker than you could drop a bauble?

Well that starts with a post I didn't write.

Isobel watches a lot more telly than would probably be approved off, for me as she plays and sings and dances and is happy I really do not care. Another Mummy fail is that all her favourite programmes are on commercial channels sprinkled rather liberally with adverts; adverts Isobel also ways viewed as an annoying interruption to her schedule.

Until the end of November.

In November Isobel graduated to being impressionable and from somewhere she finally got the idea that all these things were available. Just in time for Christmas no less.

Ignoring this sudden exploration of ALL that is available, I blithly went ahead and bought little girl's Christmas presents.

Now, thanks to the wonders of Peppa Pig one of these I have got spot on.

The other, yes she has only asked for two things, is nothing like the gift I bought.

Isobel has not deviated from her desire. Santa popped into nursery yesterday, leaving his Reindeer on the roof of course, but he only gave Isobel a book.

Little girl return home excited by the visit, but along with Reindeer on the roof her top comment was the lack of the gift she really wanted.

A BIG MUMMY FAIL - my daughter's first proper gift request was not to be granted.

So, I did what all good mother's would. Went to the toy shop at 9am and using the very lasy of my pennies (really, i'm not joking here,) bought the appropriate gift (well my version of her choice - i.e. wooden not plastic).

and I bought a Santa sack for £1 in Poundland to replace the AWOL one.

Hello, I'm back

I have been neglecting my blog; I've been writing posts in my head but never committing them.

So what have I been doing with my time? Well, the crochet induced RSI is a clue, the Glampervan on the side bar of the blog is another. In fact they are both connected. Yes, I have been crocheting a seventies style Afghan for Clementine the campervan.

Unfortunately setting up Glampervan has involved slightly more than simply getting out my crochet hook, internet shopping for plates and tents, and making cushions. There's the website, the insurance, the drooling over camping books such as The Camper Van Cookbook and Cool Camping Kids book. Oh and there are merchant accounts, blah blah blah.

And now the bank has messed up my money transfer so I still haven't collected Clementine.

But I have run out of wool so here I am saying hello!

One I made earlier

When I was pregnant I painted this framed magnetic blackboard on the
kitchen wall.

I felt very pleased with myself today when little girl started drawing on it.

Arts and Crafts

I have for the past couple of years kept a pot of chalk by the back door so little guests (and tipsy taller guests) can amuse themselves by drawing on the patio; wth a little person of my own on the way I've gone one or two steps further. The house is not particularly baby friendly but I had an idea and last week, while I have time on my hands, I enlisted Chirsty's help to implement it . And so our project began...

And now, this week, look what I've made...

Yes it's one big wall for creativity. And here is how we did it:

• I ordered magnetic paint from the internet (very clever stuff made from iron filings ), painted two coats.
• Then we added the frame (all good art needs a frame).
• Lastly, I painted two coats of blackboard paint and ta-dah...

We have a full-length, magnetic blackboard for creating and displaying masterpieces...


I think it's pretty cool, no not the art, the board silly. ( I just hope my child learns to draw better than me!)


(Not that I plan to be a pushy Mum, but I did also order magnetic first words poetry kit... yes, I know this may all be a little previous, but what's a girl to do while she waits but dream)