Happy 6th birthday to Cousin C

Little cousin C's birthday today. 

She had a build a bear party which the bees were invited to! 

They were both very excited. Big bee got stuck in with her ted. Little bee was feeling a bit shy to join in so he played with cousin E in the playroom instead. We took his unstuffed dragon home with us so he can do at his leisure. He named the dragon 'Dave'. Big bee named her teddy 'Flower'.

Doing some stuffing..

Designing the teds a t-shirt!

Happy birthday C! Xxxx

Vitamix adventures!

After a great deal of thought we've decided to upgrade our food processor to a vitamix!

It's a beast of a machine which thinks nothing of whizz ing up ice cubes, frozen fruit or veg, and even makes hot soups too. (Among lots of other things)

The other night there was a demonstration for about 45 minutes on the QVC channel and both bees were transfixed. They were so enthusiastic about it I knew it wasn't just a new toy for me! Hehe!

We had an email to say when it would arrive and big bee was as excited as me. Look at her face when it arrived. (At 5:45pm I may add! A long day waiting!)

The first recipe we tried was a healthy natural lemonade... Yum! Children loved it!

Next was peach icecream! (A bit melted here as I cleaned up before eating)

This morning it was breakfast smoothies! Big bee decided on recipe. We had frozen fruit, veg, seeds and oats in here!

A bit unsure but included the green bit of the strawberry like the demonstration had suggested.

A whole carrot went in!

All done! Very very yummy!

For lunch we made veggy soup! This was my made up recipe and to be honest I think I messed up a bit and put waaaay to much leek in. It was nice but I felt it was a bit to leek-y and needed a little something else like chicken stock or something. Look forward to next soup trial!

Very smooth and creamy from the cashews though.

This afternoon, big bee wanted to make another recipe. She looked online and found an idea which she adapted.

A banana choc peanut butter milkshake!

Done! And apparently very yummy! (Had dairy in it so I never tried it)

We're looking forward to the next vitamix adventures!

Random summer (wet) days..

Trying out new car seats! Getting the car prepared for the addition of another car seat in November.

We even gave the car a valet and car wash. It was pretty bad and I chucked nearly a bin bag full of stuff away we were carting around and didn't need! 

A rare shot of little bee kissing baby bump.. He's not quite as worried about fuss over bump as big bee is. She's there all the time!

My new sling arrived, big bee trying out with Una the unicorn!

I've had a few more days feeling very breathless and plain shattered but my wonderful bees have kept themselves busy. They are really self motivated. Big bee wanted to make some yogurt bark but I was just shattered so with me on the sofa, bless her, she made it completely on her own. Not one ounce of help. I feel quite bad not having as much energy to help them with things but I guess it's a good chance for them to learn more independence. 

Followed by smoothie making! Also done on there own, other than me putting bowl on mixer and supervising the turning on/off. They prepared all the fruit/ingredients on there own.

Another day.. Clothes shop making!

The people can visit the shop and pick there clothes. Love big bees ideas!

Exciting times, plastercine modelling!

Using some old wrapping paper from nanny they wrapped a load of there toys then had a 'birthday' unwrapping them!

Bonfire!

Making musical instruments. 3 different noise shakers!

Little bee finally joined in the plastercine fun after initially not wanting too. He LOVED it!

His 'picture'

Some chalk drawing outside

And after the heavy rain, little bee investigating the big puddles. Big bee joined in and as you'd imagine it ended up in showering them both! Lol! 'Splash!'

Hama bead baby mobile

A project that big bee has been working on for a little while..

A Hama bead baby mobile, with a sound box containing her singing her little made up song.

She chose the Hama designs and completed them by following the patterns.

The completed lot!

Daddy bee cut her some wood after she drew a design of how she wanted it and where the holes should be. It was then painted by big bee!

Threading up her creations

Attaching to the cross frame.

Doing her song, we looked at how the sound box was made and how the circuit worked.

Her made up song which she learned to read while singing.

And finally... All done!

Im amazed at her determination as this hasn't been a quick project. Each big Hama design takes quite a while to do. Very proud of her. I love it!