Bad Mummy

January’s things I love

Bec — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:23:20 +0000

Late last year Tina Gray and I had a conversation on Twitter which went something like:

Me: I should do one of those.
Tina: Yes, you should.
Tina: Do what?
Me: Okay, I will. A things I love post.

There may or may not have been more to it than that, but I can’t remember that far back–I’m getting old you see (next week I’ll be 32). So here I am, being true to my word and writing a Things I Love post for January.

Koh-i-noor watercolour paint disc

I got an Eckersley’s gift card for Christmas and, after a nasty sinus infection that started as a virus, Erin and I went to spend it. She insisted we go even though we were still a little sick because “We need the craft”, she was right. You’re never too sick to craft (okay maybe there is a point at which you’re too sick to craft, but we weren’t there).

I’ve been really impressed with the colours of these paints, very vibrant and pretty so I’m pleased I got them even though they weren’t what I’d initially wanted.

Anyone but you

Recently, I’ve recovered a love of digital books. They’re so much easier to keep out of the hands of small people who like to rip things up. So I’ve started reading again and yes, I read a lot of romance and chick lit. Personally I find it easiest to read books that don’t require I think or get too incredibly involved in a whole new world.

That’s not to say that this isn’t a great book. Ever since finding her a few years back (before Erin was born in fact) I’ve loved Jennifer Crusie. She’s a fantastic author who creates wonderful characters, real characters who have real imperfections and insecurities. I love that she’s able to maintain character even in situations other authors seem to believe are straight forward and pretty much same-same from couple to couple (yes I’m talking about sex scenes).

Even with two kids running around wreaking havoc I managed to read this one in under a week–a fair cry from the days I’d stay up all night reading and be finished in a few hours, but it’s reading and it’s making me want to write fiction again.

Anyway the book is Anyone But You (Hqn Romance) (affiliate link).

Special K dessert inspired bars

We got these as a free sample with our groceries from Coles Online. I’m not so sure how much like lemon meringue pie they taste, but they’re still pretty nice (if small).

Both the girls and I love them so we’ll buy them again. Not as a regular thing knowing the price of those bar things, but maybe when we want to impress other people with our eating style or something.

There you are, three new things I’ve tried and loved this month. I can’t say that I’ll do one of these posts everyone, I’d like to, but I don’t try new things often enough–yes, I’m a creature of habit–but we’ll see, you never know your luck.

Abi and the tub of water

Bec — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:13:12 +0000

Just like any self respecting toddler Abi loves to make mess. She loves splashing up a storm at bath time, spending bubbles flying to the other end of the room, she’ll draw on anything that stays still and tip out everything you’re not quick enough to relieve from her steely grip.

Since we’ve been home educating (seriously go visit the site) Erin I’ve found her ability to get into things has increased ten fold. I’ll be hunched over Erin, showing her how to write the same letter for the millionth time and Abi will be off having the time of her life with my foundation–I have the carpet stains to prove it. So, in an effort to stem her destructive force I’ve been trying to find things for her to do while I’m busy.

She really does love to colour-in, but that will only hold her attention for so long–usually only the amount of time it takes for me to get set up with Erin. She’s also keen on play dough, but if I bring that out I have to cope with a barrage of “But I want to play with play dough too” from Erin and having small fists full of dough forced into my hand by Abi who accompanies that action with “here are!”

Enter sensory tubs.

I’ve seen them before–there can’t be many people who have kids and use the internet that haven’t–and I always swore that I’d whip some up for Erin. Of course it never happened, still I looked at them with envy though. Was I the only person in the world with a single crafty bone but no stock pile of glitter? It sure seemed like it.

In this house we like things simple. I rarely even cook recipes requiring more than four ingredients so when I look at activities for my kids I want something that’s easy. No specialty play dough with glitter, sand or sparkles for us and definitely no specially purchased digging tools. I don’t want to spend $10 on things that will only be used for a couple of hours before being thrown out.

Pressed for time today with a four year old desperate to do her “book learning” and a 19 month old with more energy than is proper I grabbed a tub from the laundry filled with an inch or so of water, an old hair gel tub as well some plastic balls scavenged from a Christmas gift and outside we went.

And there you have it, $0 spend and an hours worth of entertainment.

Exploiting their own kids?

Bec — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:49:14 +0000

As previously discussed, there’s a good chance that I’m a little slow because I always seem to notice things months after other people. Case in point, I’ve only just noticed that the children who appear on Baby Antonio’s Circus and Dorothy the Dinosaur are all, blue Wiggle, Anthony Field’s own children.

For a long time now people have talked about how exploitative it is of Steve and now Terri Irwin to parade their children in front of the media and on their own television shows, is Anthony Field any different?

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A conversation with Abi

Bec — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:35:03 +0000

She’s a real chatterbox my wee girl and had been jabbering on like this for five minutes before I started to tape. When I played this back for her she was all interested and tried to have a conversation with herself.

It goes for three minutes so feel free to cut it short.

A cool drink

Bec — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:36:54 +0000

Mostly because I was bored today I created a new digital illustration. You may download and print, but not claim it as your own work or offer it for download from your site.

Download the 10×12 inch version (intended to be printed at a photolab) | A4 sized version (for printing at home)

Happiness, the purpose of life

Bec — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:21:53 +0000

Over the past couple of days, okay a week, I’ve been trying to figure out what I should write in my first post for the year. Nothing has come to mind which I think is kind of ironic seeing as I’ve been on bloggy holiday and should be coming back to things feeling fresh and ready to roll. Apparently not. I don’t feel at all fresh and certainly not ready to go, in fact I kind of feel sleepy and a bit hungry, but I digress…

If you’ve read my previous post you’ll know that I’m determined to make this year about fun. Not just fun, but happiness. I’m not a religious person so I believe the purpose of our lives here on this planet is to find happiness, not in a selfish way, because I also believe that you can’t truly be happy without effecting the happiness of those around you–I guess you could call it being fulfilled.

This year coming I want to share with you all the things that bring me happiness. The things (and people) that make me smile, that help bring me out of a depressive funk and make my life worth while. My hope is that, if you haven’t already, sharing my joy will help you find yours.

Looking to the new year

Bec — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:44:36 +0000

Last year I decided that 2011 was going to be my year. I was going to build my writing career and really make it happen. It didn’t. No matter how hard I pushed or what I did, I just couldn’t figure it out. All that I ended up walking about 2011–writing wise–is hurt feelings at not being included and unrealistic expectations of myself.

Last night, as I unpacked the dishwasher, it struck me. What I need from 2012 is fun.

Not without their blessings, the past four years have been incredibly stressful ones–Erin’s prem birth and subsequent hospital stay, Naughty Daddy’s being made redundant twice followed by a serious bout of depression, my own post natal depression following Abi’s birth and last, but certainly not least, fighting to get my niece back.

What I desperately need from the coming year is easy fun.

Laughs, friends, easy opportunity and just plain fun. That’s not too much to ask for is it?

‘Twas the night before Christmas

Bec — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:02:11 +0000

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danc’d in their heads,
And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap-
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a minature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and call’d them by name:
“Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen,
“On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem;
“To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
“Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys – and St. Nicholas too:
And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound:
He was dress’d all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnish’d with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys was flung on his back,
And he look’d like a peddler just opening his pack:
His eyes – how they twinkled! his dimples how merry,
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face, and a little round belly
That shook when he laugh’d, like a bowl full of jelly:
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laugh’d when I saw him in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And fill’d all the stockings; then turn’d with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle:
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight-
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Merry Christmas

Bec — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:44:04 +0000

From my family to yours, merry Christmas! I hope your day is full of love and joy.

See you next year!
Bec

Favorite bloggers of 2011

Bec — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:13:18 +0000

Because it’s the end of the year and I’m feeling a little bit sentimental before I go on bloggy holiday I thought I’d post a list of my favourite bloggers for 2011. These are in no particular order and I’m sure I’ve missed some, but to everyone I’ve spent time with in person or online, thank you for making my 2011 better.

There are so many of you who’ve really been responsible for some huge also good changes to my blogging style this year! I’m really looking forward to the next 12 months!