Messy Party for Eden's 2nd Birthday.

The Prep

This was a real last minute party in contrast to Joplin's Fireman Sam party which he had been planning (forcing me to put some thought in) for the last year!
I didn't manage a postal invite but did manage to get an e-vite out to most -

I wanted to make glitter playdough for the party bags which I made the day before. I also had sparkly rings and a few messy sweets. I had forgotten however that the party bags were in fact items contained in a 'bag'! A bit of last minute raiding of the stationary cupboard and a trial of the paint and sponges for the party was the fix, and I soon had my envelope party bags!

The Cake

I always have grand ideas for my cakes that my baking skills don't quite live up to! This time though the theme was 'messy' so I figured I would pretty much get away with it one way or another! I went with a messy rainbow theme and layered different coloured Victoria Sponge mix in the tin (the idea was red in the middle working through the rainbow to violet outsides - it was vaguely there but only if you knew what you were looking for!). I had no idea actually how it had come out until it was cut and amazingly it did seem to work! I have hit upon a great cake making solution actually for the less talented of us when it comes to the baking of birthday cakes - freezing the cakes! I made the layers a few days before then popped them in the freezer when cooled. This meant that the night before I only have to concentrate on the decorating rather than the whole process. Victoria sponge freezes really well and the reduction of the stress is certainly worth it!

The night before I sandwiched the pieces together with jam and cream, then iced it with a cream cheese and icing sugar mix. I made up another batch slightly more runny with different colours then splodged them on! The day of the party I decorated with smarties around the outside and of course 2 candles!

The Activities

Messy as possible was the key but I tried to keep some vague sense of system so it wasn't complete carnage! 

A sheet pinned to the ground with plastic pegs, and plenty of paint and brushes provided a blank canvas.

The foam pit was lots of fun - crazy soap which is a bit like shaving foam without the smell. I used about 4 cans.

Next to the foam pit I put a track down covered in the foam and a little soap mix. THis was great fun for slippy sliding! 

 Another experiment was the soap flakes goo! I whisked up half a box with warm water and initially it was similar to the foam, however as it settled it became more mouldable.  I put some animals in there hoping mountains may be made and layed on however the children werre a little reluctant to touch it! Maybe one messy too far!! It did help the slip when put on the slippy track though. 

I filled another paddling pool (I found these in the end of summer sale for 25p each!!) with top soil and hid treasures inside. Lots of tools and also cars went with it and I combined it with the muddy car wash we had previously played - a tray of water with a track linking the two. 

It was a lovely day so the paddling pool was a must - the state of it afterwards wasn't too pretty though!

Baby wash was as popular as ever - both for Mummies and kids!

 Bubbles were a hit as always too, although I think our machine is on it's last legs.

For food I kept it pretty simple with hot dogs on the BBQ, jelly, crisps crudite and fruit. It all seemed to go anyway!

 Eden had lots of lovely presents - a very lucky boy! Thankyou to all our friends and family!

Lots of fun and again we were massively lucky with the weather!  Eden spent most of the day in his Birthday suit in fact!! Happy 2nd Birthday Eden!

Your comments make my day! Do let me know what you think!

Spice Rack

I am so excited about my new spice rack! We have loads of herbs and spices that used to really clutter up the cupboard and I often found I would buy 2 or 3 of the same spice merely because I couldn't find it on the shelf!
So with the new kitchen came an idea and solution!
Dan cut me a sheet of metal and glued it to the inside of the cupboard door. I bought a wholesale lot of 50 tins and cut circles from magnetic sheet ( I bought this from Ebay with a self adhesive backing. I would imagine you could probably get the circles cut for you if you wanted a better circle shape but I figured as it was hidden I wasn't too fussed.) A fun hour spent with my new Dymo labelling machine later and I filled the tins and popped them on the door! They hold there really well. I was afraid they may fall with an energetic shake of the door but the magnetic force holds them well.

I am so pleased with it - not only is it easy to navigate and takes up no shelf  space, it is also hidden from view.

First Day at School

I can't believe how fast the time has gone and that our little boy has started school! He looked very smart in his uniform this morning and even wanted to keep it on all day. 

No tears! Result!!

He said he had a fun day and played in the kitchen and with the guitar on the 'stage'! I am so pleased he seems to have settled Ok - hopefully it will continue!

After school he read to me the Cat In The Hat book that we had found at the boot sale  yesterday! His reading is coming along really well and he is starting to enjoy the story as well as just the words now I think. 

Home made puffy paint!

We thought we'd try making our own puffy paint yesterday! 

We mixed 1 tbsp of self raising flour to 1 tbsp of salt with enough warm water to make a smooth paste, then separated it into pots with different food colouring. After painting a 'masterpiece' we popped the painting in the microwave for 20 seconds.

 The paint hardened and puffed right up! Unfortunately though we only had coarse sea salt so it added an extra texture we could probably have done without!

 Here is the finished work - 'Sea with a bridge over'

Fire Station fun again!

It was an open day at the fire station today. It is only a few weeks since we went for  Joplin's birthday but he still couldn't wait to go back. There was lots on today and Joplin thought it was very funny to be able to throw wet sponges at a fireman!!

 It was great too to aim the fire hose at the 'burning building'

 Joplin had drawn the fireman a picture to take down and was very proud when they taped it to a fire engine.

 The boys climbed in the fire engine too. Eden loved trying to steer!

 There was also a rescue display! I think one of my highlights though was when the fireman set off their own smoke alarm with the BBQ!! It was a nice hot dog though!

Warwick day out

We had a gorgeous day out last week in St Nicholas Park Warwick!

I have always wanted to go on one of the big pedalo boats and jumped at the opportunity to go on one. There were swans and dragon boats and Joplin really wanted a dragon so we had a picnic whilst we waited for one. 

 Eden wasn't too impressed though when we put his jacket on!

Time to get on the boat!

 The boys sat so well in the back whilst we pedalled.  It was really tough work though!! I'm so glad Dan was there to help pedal - I say help ... he definitely did most of the work!!

 There were stunning views of Warwick Castle and you could get up really close. The boys were really impressed!

 After the boat ride we headed to the paddling pool. As it was a really hot day it was heaving! Joplin was straight in although Eden was a tad tentative. He loved it when he did get in though.

 Finally after an icecream and a play in the playground we headed for the funfair where Eden screamed so hard the ride had to be stopped! He loved it before it moved though and Joplin did give him cuddles when he became sad!

 The train was a little tamer!

A really great family day out!