Christmas.

Mulled wine, wrapping paper, brandy cream and lots of childish laughter. I love Christmas, I always have. Although becoming an adult has meant that magic that came along side Christmas has gone, but in many ways having children means I can bring that same magic to them. This year I felt it was the first one Eva really understood, she was excited more then I ever thought she could be. From opening day 1 on her advent calender she was geared up in Christmas mode, counting down the days and wanting time to go faster.

I wanted to make this Christmas all about the children, and I think I did that completely. Last year I remember seeing photo after photo of Christmas eve boxes, everyone seemed to be doing then#m. This year I decided to jump on that bandwagon and made the children one of their own. I kept it simple, some new PJ's, dressing gown, book, a cup with some hot chocolate and a teddy each. But I wanted to add a little magic to it too. Christmas eve we always go over to my aunt's house for food laughter and present giving so I used this to set up the presents under the tree (without them knowing) ready for them to open once we arrived home. Adding even more magic to it, I saw out of the window of the car a orange light in the sky - from a hot air balloon I believe - Eva saw it too and asked me what it was, quickly thinking I told her it was the Elf patrol out and about on Christmas eve double checking the naughty and nice list before Santa arrived that night. Her face was a picture when we got home to find Alfie the Elf had left her and Archie both a box full of presents for them to open on Christmas eve for extra good this year. 

Christmas day started at 6:30 am and guess who woke up first? ME! Eva had been up every hour during the night asking if it was time to go open her presents yet but come 6 am she was still sleeping! and probably could have slept longer if I hadn't of got fed up of laying staring at the ceiling and woke her up (oops). After a morning of opening presents, I set to work on the Christmas lunch while grandma (who'd since arrived) played with both children. Once the kids had gone to bed that evening I relaxed with some chocolate and tea.

Boxing day wasn't a great day for the fact Archie hadn't slept all night and woke up very wheezy. We did manage to go out for the morning, to the hunt - although these days it's just a scent trail - where all the dogs and horses leave through the village on there way. It's a big event with 200 people attending every year. Mulled cider and turkey baps on hand, and loads of dogs everywhere! It's honestly very beautiful. Afterwards we headed to the children's grand parents for yet more present opening and food!

Over all I had a lovely Christmas. Definitely one to beat!!

Bean xo

Degustabox - June.

After reading reviews for this box I decided to order my own, for £12.99 with the option to cancel at any tiem I decided to go for it. I have to say, I'm glad I did. I was very surprise by how fantastic the box was, I'd have never brought any of the things in this box myself which made it even more fun. We worked out the total cost of the items in the box was over £22. That's saving of over £9!!

9 yummy items were inside..

 1. Estrella Damm

I don't drink Lager so I gave this to Sean to have. He's not a fan of beer out of a can but gave it ago anyway. When I asked him what he thought of it he replied with "It's alright". Probably the best I'm going to get out of him to be honest. I don't think this will be replacing his favourite beer any time soon.

 2.Elizabeth Shaw (Milk chocolate flutes)

I had a few of these while Archie took his nap I have to say they are very moreish. Nice chocolate flavour with a back note of Amaretto.. Perfect. I finished the rest of in the evening while reading a wedding mag.

 3. Urban fruit.

Dried fruit is normally a big hit in this house, I tend to pass them off as sweets when Eva is asking for some. When I tried these I have to say I was very disappointed. They tasted quite sour and were very very chewy. On opening the packet they were all stuck together in one big lump too. They were okay, but not my fabourite I have to say.

 4.Bear (Alpha bites cereal)

Eva had these for her breakfast this morning. She wasn't a fan saying they tasted "discusting". I had a bowl after her and actually they weren't that bad. Nice and crunchy with alot of flavour in them. 

 5. Veetee (Basmati and wild rice)

I have to say I was very pleased to see rice in the box as it's one of my favourite foods not only that but I had just had a moan before the box arrived because I had no rice to go with my lunch so yes, I was very pleased to see this. Very quick and easy to cook and had a lovely taste. I added a tea spoon of cold water to the rice before cooking (a trick I learnt from using these sorts in the past) and on tasting it straight from the mircowave it needed a little salt and pepper. Over all though, I will be buying this on in the future.

 6. Dr. Oetker (Madagascan Vanilla grinder)

I'm yet to use this, but I use alot of vanilla in my cupcakes so when I next make cakes (at the weekend) I shall be giving this a whirl.

 7. Lambrini

I am not a big drinker mainly because I am breast feeding but I love drinks that are strawberry flavour so after work I treated myself to a small glass of this and oh my! It was lush!! I will have to treat myself to some more of this tonight also. Perfect for summer I think with a lovely sweet flavour.. it reminded me of a alcholic cherryade.

 8. Be-fast

I had a bottle of this on the school run this morning. It tasted like banana milk shake and was quite creamy. I really liked it, perfect for those mornings when I I am rushing about.

 9. Tyrrells popcorn

I am not a fan of popcorn at all, infect I normally hate the stuff however I thought I'd give these a go and I am very glad I did, they were moreish. I loved the sweet crunchy one's the best but the salty ones were also yummy. They really worked well together, I am going have to buy some more!

Get your own Degustabox here

*I have not been paid for this review. All opinions are my own* 

Weaning Diary.

7 months old.

Two meals a day

+ snacks.

 Breakfast : Baby porriage, I also mixed in a a spoon of his berrie baby cereal for a bit of extra flaour. He loves this (although it looks a little too sticky in this picture, I did add more water before feeding it too him)

 Lunch : Yesterday I made apple and pear puree. It was meant to have beetroot but tesco delievered the hot and spicey ones instead of the one's I ordered so I have to skip them.

 Snack : Strawberry in his Nuby. I love this thing, I normally give it to him which I am getting on with housework as it keeps him busy and I don't have to worry about him choking!

He also has his milk, I am still breast feeding him on demand, but during the day now he'son food, this tends to be only 3 times and normally around 30 mins after his meals. As of today I am adding a third meal also around 5pm.

Weaning.

Yes Archie is really at that stage already, I'm as shocked as you! He's been showing signs of wanting solid food for a while now, and I've been putting it off for two reason's. The first being his age, I wanted him to be at least 6 months and secondly - with is probably a selfish reason - I didn't want him to grow up so quickly, putting him on solid food like admitting he is getting older and is no longer that baby who needed me for everything! Although he still does. 

When it comes to weaning I am all for homemade food rather then the vile pots you buy from the shops. Seriously anyone buying those for their child have you tasted them! I brought one for Eva - chicken dinner I believe - and tasted it before I gave it her, It tasted like mashed up cardboard with a hint of cat vomit. I read into baby led weaning and I do plan to do it this way later on, right now though I don't have a high chair, or the room for one so I am sticking to the well known puree method.

  I made up three puree's yesterday, Butternut squash, Broccoli and Parsnip. I had a taste of all three and the only one I wasn't happy with was the broccoli  one, I think this might be because there is no salt or pepper so it's very bland. I'll see how Archie takes to this one soon enough.

The first one he had was the butternut squash. His face on the first mouthful was a picture but he soon hoovered it all up and and a huge smile on his face. Yes, he loved it!!

I've been reading up on some recipes for puree's and I'm quite excited by some of them - small things - once he's got the hang of these ones I'll be moving him on to some fruit puree's. I'll be doing many blog posts on this subject mainly for my own personal use and also for anyone who's also weaning their children. 

I'll be adding the recipes of any foods I make for him as well, so keep your eyes peeled.

Shopping haul.

photo from google.

-------

BHS

 Brave PJ's - £6.50

Hair ribbins - £2.50

Matalan

 Boys priate swimsuit - £8.00

Coat hangers - £3

Asda Living

Purple swimsuit - £14

Tutu swimsuit - £7

Arm bands - £6

Infant float seat - £11

Huggies little swimmers - £4

Lush

Creamy candy bubble bar - £2.50

Floating island bath melt - £4.15

Think pink bath bomb - £2.50

Acorns Charity shop

Book, Remember me - £1.45

Tank top, forever21 - £3.95

Carluccio's

(because no shopping trip to Stratford is complete without something sweet)

Strawberry meringue - £1.99