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Today was a busy day, first I started a new work at home job, then this afternoon I helped a friend with her wedding invitations.
Erin enjoyed some ‘Daddy Time’. Together they produced these white chocolate crispy cakes

(I’m not quite sure if the spring onion in the background is for garnish?!?!)
I was informed that they simply melted some white chocolate, added puffed rice cereal and mixed together. They then divided the mix into paper cases, licked the bowl (!) and decorated with mini eggs and milky bar …

Today’s outing was to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. We had been before, but never with Erin…
So do toddlers and galleries mix?
Yes, Erin loved it. The exhibits included a ball dispay – 1000 balls of all shapes and sizes scattered in a huge room. The exhibit was interactive but apparently they had too many parents (!) getting over excited! It’s a shame I’d have liked a kick about
The highlights for Erin were the stripey floored room – a room in which …

Balancing Priorities

The fact we approach parenthood with such high expectations is not surprising. We are the first generation in human history where ‘having it all’ was not only possible, but what we expected.
This final chapter encourages us to lower our standards and expectations a little and focus more on the proverbial houseplant that is our marriage.

Chapter Quote
We accept that the constraints that come with having kids are part of the deal. Unless we’re holding on to the ‘sell the children to the gypsies’ idea as a reserve option, …

Getting More and Giving In: More kids, more chaos

With each child, the love and joy in our homes increases a thousandfold, but so does the general mayhem.
This chapter focusses on the addition of a second, third or plus (!) child/ren, and how you can expect it to affect your marriage.
I particularly enjoyed the chart presenting what you can expect in terms of time, grandparent participation,and pints of milk per week with each additional child – very funny.
Chapter Quotes

With hindsight, taking care of one child was a hobby.

When faced …

In-laws and Outlaws
“This chapter is about how profoundly our family relationships are altered by a baby and how, in turn, these changes impact on our marriages.”
My own experiences in this area have been very positive. Expectations were discussed well before Erin’s arrival and so far there haven’t been any major issues. I think a lot of it comes down to the parents keeping a relaxed attitude and grandparents being mindful of not taking over (too much).

“Who does the baby look like?” It sounds innocent, but it is actually …

I bought this magnetic sketching toy to put away for when Erin is a bit older. But she loves it!
At first she waggled the pen around not making a mark, but now she scribbles away and has learned that only one end of the pen works. She manouvres the pen in her hand to get the best grip and control for her ‘drawing’. I have noticed Erin’s fine motor skills are really improving because of it.
Buy Etch a Sketch Scribbler

The ‘sex life’ of new parents
Billed as ‘The Most Important Chapter in This Book’, did it live up to the hype?
Well, in a way yes. It was certainly an eye opener, however, it was also the chapter that caused one of my gripes – too much stereotyping. Don’t let that stop you reading the chapter and taking special notes though
If you read nothing else in this book, read this chapter.
I wholeheartedly agree!
The topic of s.e.x is covered with the same level of humour and sensible advice …

I don’t usually do memes, mainly because I rarely get tagged (all say ahhhh), but my friend Megin has tagged me and I thought it would be a good departure from my bumper book review.
Instructions: List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what they are. They must be songs you are presently enjoying. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.
1. Grace Kelly – Mika
2. Patience – Take That
3. Tiny Dancer – Elton John
4. New Shoes – Paulo Nutini
5. Alfie – Lily Allen
6. These …

What’s the score?
The author/s say this chapter is about ‘the collision of expectation and reality’. Simply put, it’s about the constant scorekeeping and bickering that creeps into a marriage post-partum.
Later on, the chapter turns it’s attention to fixing the problem ‘ripping up the scorcard’. Part of the solution being the ‘divide and conquer’ method. Split all tasks fairly and give full commitment to doing your fair share. Practise a little more give and take over chores and in disagreements (aka a little less nagging for the …

This is a nursery favourite, especially with younger children who get impatient with longer baking projects.
If you don’t fancy baking or think your kids would lose interest too quickly, simply ice rich tea biscuits and decorate with hundreds and thousands, jelly sweets etc… The other advantage, is that you get to see (and eat) the finished product very quickly.
Have fun!