Creative kids food ♥ homemade by me

Fish fingers with diced cheese and buttered toast hearts. 

Bow pasta with shredded chicken and alphabet potatoes. 

Southern fried fillets with alphabet potatoes. 

Caribbean patty pieces with heart shaped sandwiches. 

Carrots, peas, sweet corn and beans with homemade Yorkshire puddings, shredded roast chicken and heart shaped stuffing. 

Homemade oat and banana baby cookies. 

Pink spaghetti with chicken breast hearts. 

Heart and star shaped tomato puff pastries. 

Mixed pink coloured spaghetti. 

Teddy bear lemon and raisin pancakes. 

Fruit salad caterpillar scene. 

Banana and pitta icecream scene. 

Fruit salad bugs world scene. 

Fruit and cheese mice scene. 

Vegetable filled puff pastry hearts. 

Vegetable filled puff pastry heart and hello kitty pasta. 

Fruit salad island scene. 

Oat and raisin cookies. 

Fruit, vegetable and chicken woodland scene. 

Chicken breast, fruit, bread and vanilla puffs underwater scene. 

Fries, salad and mini pizzas (NY made them herself!!!!)

Heart shaped puff pastry pizza (NY made this one too!!!!) ♥ 

Book of the month

BARRY THE FISH WITH FINGERS AND THE HAIRY SCARY MONSTER
By Sue Hendra

A wonderful story about a fish with fingers named Barry (from the previous story) and his friend Puffy the Puffer fish. 

The two fish and their friends play a game of hide and seek, with Barry being the one who counts down with his spectacular fingers. 

Puffy tries to find an unfindable hiding place and comes across an abandoned wreck. 

Assuming that Barry will never find him there he goes in ready to hide. 

But someone else is hiding there already. 

A hairy scary monster. Puffy swims off frightened warning the other fish but brave Barry goes in to sort the problem. 

The monster is upset on his arrival and just wants a friend instead of everybody   swimming away from him all the time. 

Barry soon sorts him being the friendly fish that he is. 

With his Fish Fingers he gives the monster a fine hair cut, only to discover he is Colin the seahorse. 

All the friends get together in the end and have a great time with Colin's recycled hair, partying in the wreck at their pirate "hairdo". 

REVIEW:

I love this book. Just not as much as my daughter does. At one year old NY has me reading this everyday. Sometimes a few times in the morning, in the afternoon and before bed. 

She loves to read it to herself in her own little language. It's definitely her favourite book alongside The Gruffalo. 

I bought this book months ago for her and she did show quite an interest but she was tiny, probably about 8 months old and I thought it was because of the front cover and the next page from there.

She gets up in the morning sometimes and I can hear her at the bottom of the bed talking. And when I look up she is usually reading this to herself.  

The front cover is glitzy and glittery which my daughter loves. The story is simple and short, but still has a great storyline. 

The pictures are bold and the fish are brightly coloured. 

NY likes the counting when they are playing hide and seek and her favourite page is where it says "10 ready or not I'm cominggggg yelled Barry". 

She loves it I shake the book open near her and she gets really exciting and either head butts Barry or tries to lick him. Lol. 

She also does this when I do the same thing with her second favourite page, being a picture of the monster and I shout "arghhh scaryyy monsterrr". 

It's lovely for her to follow along. I've noticed NY saying "eeek" when it gets to that part in the story and I say it and she also twitches her fingers when I move mine whilst counting. 

This book is a paperback and NY got so excited with it that it got ripped and I bought another one. Which is now missing the front page. 

It's a great story to help interact with your child especially with the pictures, counting and the morals. 

9/10

Result: I would recommend this book. 

Home Made Banana Oat Cookies (Great teething cookies and healthy snacks!)

Recipe for these cookies.

Great for teething babies or snacks for kids (and adults if you must) as they are natural, homemade and healthy with no added nasties or surprises (apart from the lovely surprises you may add)


I try to get fair trade, natural and organic products to use for my recipes where I can.



You will need for the ones pictured:

2 large bananas.

Raisins (my personal choice).

1 Packet or cup of oats.

Grease proof paper or butter.

A cookie sheet oven tray.

Any other add ons you want to throw in.



I also added a few tiny dried apple pieces.

The ingredients I used.

I put the oats into a large metal mixing bowl and added the two bananas.

I then broke the bananas into pieces with my spoon and mashed them down. It is easier to use old bananas I guess but I didn't, I used fresh ones I had bought that day.

I then added the raisins and dried apple pieces and mashed them down again.

Then I pre-heated my oven to around Gas mark 4-5.

As I never have greaseproof paper as usual so I greased my cookie tray with butter which always works a treat. Then laid my cookies as evenly as I could (the amount) onto the tray. I used some shapes to make it more creative and because I am just extra :)

I then placed them into the oven and left them for 15-20 mins.

I then took them out (you can see when you think they are ready) and flipped them over with my lovely Gingerbread Man cookie flipper! I then baked the other side for a while. This is not a must, as I said before I am a bit extra.

Leave cookies to cool once you have taken them from the oven and enjoy!

These are some round ones I have made again today.

WARNING: If helping or watching, children WILL take the raisins and eat them for themselves!

My verdict:

My baby daughter NY loved them.

Avocado Fries

Avocado Fries. Something I have wanted to try and make for ages!

I really wanted to follow the recipe but I ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS do not have half the ingredients. Every time I make something! So I improvise. Problem is, as I always do this, there's never really anything to improvise with.

I had no flour really and no cheese. But realised half way through making them.

Maybe next time (If I ever make them again which I doubt) I could follow one of the other recipes.




As I just made up my own way, here is a recipe from a website that have also made them:

http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2012/11/16/crunchy-parmesan-avocado-fries/



My Basic Recipe:



- 2 Free Range Eggs
- 2 Avocados
- Salt
- Pepper
- Flour

- Panko Breadcrumbs

- Olive Oil

- Spices of your choice (If you wish)

Beat Eggs and leave in a bowl.

You could use Milk if you wish.

Pour the Breadcrumbs and Flour into another bowl. 

Mix the Spices, Salt and Pepper into the Flour and Breadcrumbs.

Peel and Pit the Avocados.

Cut into wedge slices.


Dip Avocado slices into the Egg, then quickly roll in the Flour and Breadcrumbs (best to do quickly as it sticks all the breadcrumbs together and they wont stick to the Avocado if this happens).

Don't worry if the Egg, Flour or Breadcrumbs doesn't fully cover the Avocado slices.
Then bake them in the oven at Gas Mark 5 for around 20-25 mins (or longer if you feel they need more time).

The original recipe that I was going to follow said to fry them. I did attempt this. My husband said they were disgusting so I do not recommend lol.

Remove from the oven when Avocado Fries are crisp and the Breadcrumbs are Golden.

Leave to cool and serve with a great meal!

I chose to serve mine with Honey Baked Chicken, White Rice and Gravy and Thin Seasoned Potato Crisps.

One year old!

NY?

She is crawling around since we moved home like crazy! She wouldn't in our old home as there wasn't much room and I mostly sat with her in the bedroom.

She likes to stand holding onto me. Cannot walk yet but will when she finds that she can. Still loves chuggington and eats lots of bananas.

She is funny and moans -_- like me lol. And has two teeth and another four that are nearly here!

My little curly sue is growing up so fast everyday I want to cry literally.

She just turned one year old!

I didn't get to celebrate or anything as the house is packed like a post office and I have no clue as to where or the resources to put anything. Also as I am following my faith to the best I can and I am still researching about Birthdays etc.

I feel really bad that I didn't have her party. I even bought some of the stuff for it. But I guess I can make it better and more enjoyable by doing it maybe in June around my birthday.

The summer would be better as I might of got some sofas by then and maybe even clear the garden. So we can have her tea party. And make it spacious pink and pretty.

I have ideas literally bursting out of my brain. I can't wait. I really hope I do it. Even though it will be half a year after her age turn but she might be walking by then or maybe she might be able to understand and enjoy her party more.

I got her a cute pink dress with a cupcake on and a tutu and some sweet pink rose tulle shoes to match. 

Of course you have to have shoes to match!

A bib with a tulle cupcake and and on saying she is one and a pretty headband.

I wanted to get a photo shoot done for her but haven't found somebody who can do what I want done. But hopefully Inshallah by the time I have her late party she might be able to squeeze into the dress and get one done. Again I have so much ideas. And I'm quite good at this kind of thing I must say.

So hopefully everything goes to plan and I have this lovely party if people show up!

And I haven't even given her her presents I bought her last year they are still packed away! I ain't even bought her a card I feel so BAD.

The main present I want to get for her is something that I'm gonna buy every year until she is maybe 18 Inshallah. Or whenever around then. So she can collect as she grows up and it will be personal and also hopefully a bond we will have. Something special between mother and daughter.

I hope I do have her party as I'm so busy doing silly things or looking after her and cleaning or cooking or whatever that I forget. And then I just don't do it or give up as usual. Im really gonna try with this.

I'm going to have to get lots of pink ideas string them from my ceiling and glitter it up!

Not sure if I want a princess party for her or another theme (that is a secret sorry) or a tea party.

Still I guess the guilt could give me time to plan and organise properly. Invite people? Get a cake, the present I wanted for her and sort out half of the house at least.

Now who wants an invite?

Image taken from:

http://www.zazzle.co.uk/vintage_royal_bridal_shower_tea_party_invitation-161557144147764675 and Google search for pink teaparty and pink presents.

The Big Move

So here I am again explaining why I haven't blogged.

Valid excuse: I finally moved home.

And if you have ever moved home with your family then you must know how stressful and time consuming it is. Not to mention I have been dealing with a growing princess.

I haven't blogged as I want to do it all at once so I can post the outcomes of the decorated rooms (when they eventually get decorated), recycled home goods and my new hobbies and fashion posts.

THE UPDATE:

We no longer live in a sky high tower like Rapunzel. We now reside in a small house like a dolls house (it will be when I'm finished with it!) in a completely different area.

I was in that tower for over 5 years, 2 by myself, 3 with my husband and 1 with Ny.
So I guess I could get emotional about it. I moved in as a teenager. Between 18-19 years old. And left as a Woman, Mother and Wife.

I've had lots of good times there. A whole lot of bad times there. And too many crazy times there.

But.....that is the home my daughter came home to and also my husband. Where we were most settled.

When we first moved to our new home a few weeks back, it did feel a bit funny. And Ny wouldn't sleep properly. Which I can understand.

And now?
We are surrounded by boxes and junk still lol even though I threw about 80% away before we got here. And I'm living like a squatter sometimes. But I'm sure when it eventually (again, I hope) gets cleared one day we will all be a bit more happier and free.

What I love is that we can all call this home our own and that we all moved here AS a family.

But what I'm excited about is that I can hopefully put my touch on this house and make it into something I will feel a bit more positive in and use my creative side whilst not using it at all. And I can show you all. I love design anyway so it's great for me.

You know me I've been shopping and hunting to turn this dolls house into a work of art. Well.... By my standards lol. And on a budget too. Well apart from one thing for my daughters room which I'm saving for but hey! Let me live a little!

Home sick? A bit.
Would I go back? I don't think so.
Do I miss there? Yeah the outside.

So here is to future fun, creativity, special moments and memories and a clear head for myself. Also my daughter and husband.

By UMM NY ♥

Saying Goodbye To Newborn......

HEART ACHE.

The feeling you get as you reach for the last baby sized hanger. A time when you can't pick up any sized clothing for your baby as some will be too SMALL.

A moment most mothers fear or are upset by.

It's quite emotional when you have to leave behind 0-3 and 3-6 and 6-9 and knowing that you will soon be buying 12-18 months!!!!!

I can't imagine going to get clothes 2-3 year olds wear. So sad :(

I've tied up about 6 black sacks full of clothes alone since Ny was born, that don't fit anymore. Whilst trying not to keep everything for her memory box. Which you can imagine is filled already and considering I'm apparently a hoarder (as my husband says).

I'm gonna miss some of these outfits. I wish I tried some of them on her or took photographs of her wearing the ones she did wear.

Lots of gifts and must haves ready to go. Hopefully to a new home for someone else's enjoyment. :(

How emotional..... And she is only in 6-9 months and 9-12 months at the moment.



This is where the real growing starts to happen I guess........



I don't know why I chose these items of clothing but I guess they were some of my favourites from when she was younger.

She never even wore this.....

I remember buying this from Tk Maxx I loved it! NY wore it once to her first party (her cousins).

I wanted her to wear this so bad! It was exclusive! She never got to (it was up to 1 month)  The knitted fabric was beautiful.

Anyone who knows me knows I love things like cute sweets or Gingerbread people. My cousin bought NY this as a gift when she was born. I wish we kept it.So unique.

NY actually got to wear this a few times I cant believe they sell this for £120 seriously but when I first saw it I knew I had to get it...seriously this time I really had to.....but up to 3 months doesn't last long :(