A bit of culture

We had great intentions of going to see the Chinese New Year celebrations in China Town but in the end nothing could make us go out into the pouring rain. Instead we went for a new year's dinner at China Boulevard, and it really was a feast, the food just kept coming and coming. We also had a Chinese themed feast the day before with our friends in the country. Claire is an excellent cook, and she is always full of good ideas for arts and crafts things to do with the kids. We came home with yummy tummies and snakes (because it's the year of the snake this year) and lanterns (because they are fun and pretty). We also made some paper art (in red to chase away demons) and made lion masks (inspired by a show at the Polka Theatre).  So although not exactly what I had in mind it all turned out perfect anyway!

Inspired by Chinese New Year we went to watch Why The Lion Danced at the Polka Theatre.  It was a lovely little play and it gave a great idea about the traditions surrounding Chinese New Year.  A few weeks earlier we went to see Wind in the Willows at the same theatre.  It was a brilliant show that told the old traditional story in a memorable way.  We haven't been to the theatre in ages so it was a nice change!

We also had one of our usual outings to the National Gallery followed by a Mini Maestro concert at St Martin in the Fields.  The theme for this one was Vivaldi's Four Seasons so most enjoyable for us.  The way they format the whole thing is great as it really gets the kids' imagination going.  I forgot my camera that day so no photos.  February's FUNharmonics concert had the rather unusual theme of The Roaring Twenties.  We really enjoyed the concert even though we didn't know much of the music.  This time the boys chose to queue for the brass instruments and they each got a go on the tuba.  Amazingly they got some loud sounds out of it!

You may know that Nicholas absolutely loves the How to Train Your Dragon books and movie.  So when we saw a presentation by Cressida Cowell at the Imagine Children's Festival we knew it was something we had to do.  She was so inspiring and it was fascinating gaining some insight into her life and how she became an author and, most importantly, how she comes up with her ideas for the series.  She even made me want to start writing ... because anyone can do it!

As you know, a trip to a museum is obligatory for us during the holidays.  This time we took one of Nick's buddies, Francesco, with us and they wanted to go to ... surprise surprise ... see the dinosaurs!  So off to the Natural History Museum we went.  After the mezzanine level and the dinosaurs we spent the rest of the time in the Investigate Centre, something new for us, and most enjoyable since it had a lot of hands-on action.  The highlight was definitely a show on Animal Vision which provided the inspiration for Nicholas' latest show and tell!

Food glorious food

If you want to spoil your kids, have a pizza making evening.  The boys were absolutely thrilled when I suggested we make our own pizza.  They had so much fun choosing their toppings and creating their own pizza.  It was a great success and we will definitely do it more often!

Kids either love or hate jelly.  My boys fall into the first category.  Danny enjoys making it too and every now and then wants to be creative about it.  I always remember getting jelly when I was sick as a kid.  So when the boys are not well I, like my mom, make jelly.  Especially when they have tonsilitis and bike accidents!

I've already blogged a bit about the special feasts we had to celebrate Chinese New Year.  I also wanted to do something different at home for the boys.  We usually have a stir fry, with different ingrediants every week.  So I had to think some something unusual.  I  decided to do Peking Duck Pancakes (with a twist of colour)!

Pancakes are another special treat for my children.  We usually have a little party for Shrove Tuesday but it didn't work out this year despite my good intentions.  That didn't stop us from having more than one pancake feast.  Thick banana pancakes in star and heart shapes were on the menu for breakfast.  For supper we had pancakes filled with pancetta ham and gruyere cheese.  You can really do all sorts with pancakes!

Even though I don't buy into the commercial hype of Valentine's day I do quite enjoy the excuse to do something a little different in the kitchen to celebrate.  Heart shaped fried eggs on toast were a great idea to love-up something usual.  Dad made home baked croissants for breakfast on the weekend.  And Danny and I tried out a healthy beetroot muffin recipe for tea time.  All to be repeated for sure!

Beetroot Muffin Recipe

500g grated fresh beetroot
210g saltanas (I left this out)
300g self raising flour
100g fine brown sugar
1t baking powder
1t cinnamon
180ml sunflower oil
3 medium eggs

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees
2. Line muffin tray with muffin cases
3. Mix beetroot, saltanas, flour, sugar, baking poweder and cinnamon
4. Beat eggs and oil
5. Pour into dry ingredients and mix together well
6. Fill muffin cases almost to the top
7. Bake for 25 minutes

Enjoy 

Winter sunshine

A local photographer, David Fettes, did a workshop with the Donhead boys about nature photography last week.  It made a big impression on Nicholas who has been looking at all our photos with a critical eye ever since.  Over this half term they are having a photography competition for the boys.  What a pity we had no trips to exotic locations planned.  So all the photos he entered were taken locally at Queen's Mere Pond and in Richmond Park.  We quickly realised that my SLR was far too heavy for him and that his hands are too small for the design and further complicated by the fact that he is left handed.  So all the photos he entered were taken by him with my Canon Ixus.  I must say I am quite impressed with the end results.  Perhaps I also learnt something from Mr Fettes message "Looking at things differently"!

Queen's Mere Pond - my photos

Richmond Park - my photos

A newly discovered playground

Nicholas stalking a swan

Queen's Mere Pond - Nicholas' photos

Nicholas stalking a deer

Richmond Park - Nicholas' photos

Grant Paul Patrick Kyle

Welcome to the World

Grant Paul Patrick Kyle

Born: 1/1/2013

Weight: 4.1kg

Length: 58cm

Congratulations to 

proud parents Shawn and Monique

and big sister Tyler

This post is long overdue because little Grant is already 2 months old today! He was born on new year's day. We last saw Monique 2 days before that and we knew her baby's arrival was immenent (see photo below). That makes 10 grandchildren and believe it or not we are up to 5 boys and 5 girls now. The burning question is who is going to be next and will they put the girls or the boys in the lead!