Rambling Mummy Loves

Half term week has been and gone and the first week back to school has been even more exhausting but is coming to a close. I've been on the go 24/7 this week playing catch up but last week I couldn't have coped without...

Munchkin 360 Miracle Cup

In my near 15 years of being a parent I've never come across a cup that says non spill and is ACTUALLY non spill. This cup is fantastic! It's usually out with us on every journey, holds a good amount of water and is reasonably priced too.

http://bit.ly/2kvljN1

Frustration

The one day the kids decided that they wanted to stay home they asked to play board games and this was a firm favourite. We played this for hours and even Sofia played a round or two. It doesn't veer to much from the original concept and will bring out the competitive streak in everyone.

http://bit.ly/2loXi9u

Silver Crest Waffle Maker

Purchased on Wednesday by my 12 year old (he's wanted one for ages), this has provided hours of entertainment...and mess!

We've had pretty much every combination in his recipe book so far but it's proving a frugal and family friendly activity that all the family can get involved in(even if that does mean gaining a stone in a day!)

http://bit.ly/2kOXQm0

What have been your go to products this week?

                                                                            M xx

Weekly Meal Planner

Last week was a manic one. We had an impromptu school meeting, a few Dr's appointments, the hospital admission of a relative, 2 children struck with gastro-enteritis and I had 3 consecutive nights of no sleep!

One of my saving graces was having my meal plan to fall back on to help keep some kind of normality. I've noticed that since starting meal planning again I am visiting the supermarket less, spending less money and there is a lot less food waste.

This week is set to be another busy one but with some good old family favourites and quick meals hopefully we'll get through.

Monday

Spaghetti Bolognese and garlic bread 

Tuesday

Beef stir fry

Wednesday

Jacket potatoes with various fillings 

Thursday

Ham, egg and chips 

Friday

Pizzas and tortilla chips

Saturday 

Fried chicken, homemade wedges, coleslaw and salad

Sunday

Homemade chicken and vegetable pie, new potatoes and seasonal roasted vegetables  

What are your stress free, go to meals?

M xx

Happy New Year!!

Well wow, hasn't the time flown!

It has been a few months( 6 actually) since I last blogged which I know is waaaay too long but there have been big changes in our household that have made it really difficult to get anything other than the essentials done. No, no, no, not that, we haven't had a baby!
I've gone from a full time work at home mum to a full time working at a 9-5 job mum.
Whilst I absolutely loved the flexibility of being a WAHM and the opportunities it offered, I was starting to feel like I had lost a bit of me and with little monster starting year 1 in September I felt it was a now or never decision.
I had originally applied for a job in a school not too far from home but after being offered it the reality of not being able to take time off to see the kids performances or taking days here and there not to mention the 8am start(childcare would have been a nightmare) I had to turn the job down....but literally a week later the same school called me and offered me a job in the on-site children's centre - Perfect!
The job is extremely flexible, a 20 minute bus ride from home and what's more the small team of people that I work with are absolutely amazing.
I won't lie, there have been bumps along the way and the biggest heartache was putting little monster into breakfast and after school club, meaning I can't drop him off and pick him up from school everyday but generally this job has brought tons of positives into the household.
We find ourselves appreciating each other more and wanting to spend more quality time with each other, our scheduling has got rather good and I've found that little bit of me again!

I've been here since the end of August now and am loving every minute of it. Finally we have established a routine that works for us and family life is settling back down...for now.

M xx

Weekly Meal Planner

After our adventurous menu last week we decided that we'll keep things simple this week with some firm family favourites. As we all have a busy week, these meals are either quick to make or the type of meal that you can leave on the hob or in the oven...

Weekly Meal Planner

Monday

Sausages and mash with onion gravy

Tuesday

Beef Stew and dumplings

Wednesday

Ham, egg and chips

Thursday

Tuna and sweetcorn pasta

Friday

Hot dogs and onion rings

Saturday

Jacket potatoes with various fillings

Sunday

One pot roast

What will be on your menu this week?

M xx

What a difference a week can make!

Aaaaaah, after a well needed week away I feel ready to take on the world!

Life felt like it was running away with me so counting down the weeks until we went away was keeping me sane. 

The day before we left was as hectic as hectic could be. We had the cleaners in, had to finish packing 5 cases, went to the salon for a manicure and pedicure and had to wash,blow dry and braid up my daughters hair amongst other things.

Even after arriving at our hotel in Turkey at 5am I felt like a weight had been lifted and that for a whole week all of the 'normal' stresses of life could be forgotten.

4 excursions, many visits to the mini golf by our hotel, shopping and gorgeous meals out, busy, but most definitely needed!

Now, 4 days after arriving home I feel refreshed, full of vitality and ready to really start living life again. 

It really is amazing what just a weeks break can do.

Soooooo, with all of this energy I have look out for some fab new recipes, DIY projects, school holiday activities and arts and craft tutorials coming soon on my blog!!

                                M xx