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Wall:E is the latest ‘kid’s’ movie from Disney Pixar.  The plot, from what I’ve gleaned from the game seems to be: The world has been gripped by consumerism which has resulted in it looking like a rubbish dump.  Wall:E a kind of rubbish crunching and sorting machine has been sent to Earth to sort out the mess.  The aim of the game is to move through the levels and save the world, i believe there’s also a little romance later on.

Unfortunately we didn’t get to ‘later on’.  Wall:E is a platform game, for those not in the know, it’s the kind of game where you move through the game via levels a bit like Sonic or Alex the Kid (showing my age).  Once upon a fifteen years ago I was OK at these type of games, not now, I suffered from extreme lack of patience and as would become obvious, problem-solving skills.  I gave up during the first level, yes, the FIRST level when I couldn’t figure out how to get up on a ramp…

Alex took over, which gave me a chance to see the game ‘from a distance’.   It’s a decent game, challenging and fun with a good background story (it’s whetted my appetite for the movie).  The graphics are amazing, unlike the cockroach which is just plain irritating.

Thanks to Hill and Knowlton for sending me a copy to test out.  I’d recommend this game for 7-10 year olds.  In fact we are going to give our copy to a friend’s son who is seven, he’ll definitely give it a more rigorous testing than us!

Remember Rosie & Jim….you know the puppets that sail about on the narrowboat having various adventures…. watch this clip to refresh your memory!

Rosie & Jim

Well it wasn’t the Ragdoll we were on but Zazou.

We went on a cruise and dine through Edinburgh on Friday night. Erin was thrilled with being on a narrowboat even though she doesn’t know Rosie & Jim, she just stared at me blankly when I sang the theme intro to her (kids these days…!). I had portobello mushrooms with salsa verde, steak, and lemon cheesecake, which was really nice, but not quite as good as seeing Erin enjoying her first sailing experience.

Apparently there are quite a few of these cruise and dine narrowboats in Edinburgh, but I think they should have a Rosie & Jim themed one for the kids, with colouring and a special Rosie & Jim puupet show…now that’s a cruise I’d like to go on!

When choosing activities for a two and a half year old I find simplicity the key.  Any more than 3 steps and I’m afraid you’re asking for trouble, lucky this activity only has three steps then eh!  Seriously though, this activity was soooo age appropriate and Erin was thrilled with the result, definitely worth a blog…

You will need (for two caterpillars):

One egg carton

4 Straws

Green Paint and Brush

One Marker pen

Scissors

1.  Cut the egg carton until you’re left with two pieces, each with 3 ‘cups’, see picture(!)

2. Paint green and leave to dry.

3. Make two small holes, cut bendy part of straw and feed through. If you keep the hole small enough the straws should fit snugly. Finally, draw on some eyes and a nose.

Disclaimer: These caterpillars may not be anatomically correct, cuteness was the main aim!

I’m not a great fan of these type of posts but I am desperate to tell you a few things;

1. Please check out this post ‘SexEd from Early Years’ at British Parent Bloggers and get involved in the discussion.

2. I have a cool new three piece suite, I’m pretty excited as a) it’s the first ‘new’ suite I’ve ever had b) It’s a funky teal and grey and brown colour c) The chair is a swivelling, rocking, recliner d) Erin hasn’t spilled anything on it yet and it’s been…like…24 hours already…

3. I have a new job working as a food and beverage associate at a fancy restaurant located in a country club, and to be honest I’m really excited to be back working even though it’s just ten hours a week waitressing, it’ll be nice just to have a change of pace a couple of days a week.  Oh yeah, and I’m looking forward to picking up some recipe ideas and tips.

4. The Uni degree is motoring on, my second essay has been sent in and I’m at the mercy of the tutor now.  Wish me luck.

5. Does anyone know how to upload photos on the most up to date wordpress? I keep getting HTTP error messages.

6. Littlemummy.com turned two last month and I have renewed the domain for like ten years or something so I have the best of intentions to keep up the postings.

7. I’m looking for some fresh reading material, leave your URL in the comments and I’ll add to my newsreader. ta.

The growing season began in March, I was so keen I started in February, deciding initially to start with a few pots (next year I hope to progress to raised beds and then a small greenhouse).  So far we’ve harvested (with mixed success) lettuce, chives, parsley, strawberries, rosemary and basil.

Lettuce

I used wooden trough and sowed a ‘mixed bowl’ variety.  I’ve managed about three salads but think I’ll hold off growing again until I get a greenhouse as I found the leaves easily drown especially during a downpour - and this is scotland after all.

Chives

This has grown well on a window sill and I have used in salads and in dips.

Parsley

I started this indoors and then moved outside, it grows like crazy but not when potted with basil - no love there…  I have used this in various recipes and for garnish.

Stawberries

We are currently growing these in a large terracotta pot but next year I plan to try and start from seed and move into hanging baskets.

Rosemary

I cheated and bought an established plant but I plan on planting more along with thyme directly into the garden.

Basil

This has been the most successful, it thrives indoors and I’ve managed to pick enough leaves to make two batches of pesto (I’ve included the recipe below).

Pesto Recipe

I’m not sure how pesto is ’supposed’ to be made but this makes a fresh and lemony pesto that’s nice with pasta, chicken, mozzarella or focaccia.

Ingredients;

Basil (two handfuls)

Garlic infused olive oil (one slug)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (two slugs)

Parmesan (small handful)

Toasted Pine Nuts (small handfull)

Juice of half a lemon

Freshly ground salt and pepper to taste (needs a generous amount)

Simply whiz up the ingredients in a food processor and serve

I’m back after a summer hiatus of three weeks, although, in my defence we were on holidays for two of those weeks - we stayed home for the first week, or rather, went out every day to galas, breakfast barbecue’s and swimming. During the second week we went to a family owned caravan near pitlochry, we swam everyday (Erin loves swimming now) and generally lounged about, it was great.

Back at home things are revving up with my OU course, the second lot of assignments are due on tuesday and I’m not exactly on schedule… on the upside I have been winning at poker, which is nice.

That’s all for now, but hopefully the posting schedule will be back to at least a couple times a week.