Things you don't see everyday

Popped out to have a quick foot massage (don't hate me!) left the nanny looking after Dodo. Twins happily tucked up in bed..all peaceful...Came home to find...cooking sounds...and an unusual aroma..

Sizzling critters

Our amazing Nanny Noy was just frying up some fresh bugs, as you do. Not so unusual as she is from Isan, but still not something I've seen going on in my kitchen! Noy declares that they are "yummy" and good with whiskey. Noy divides things into two categories "yummy" and "not yummy" bugs fall firmly into the first in her opinion.

Almost done

I watched and learned as they sizzled in my frying pan, knowing that there was only one outcome to this discussion on the merits of eating bugs. Yes I was going to have to face the moment of being asked to try one.

Done..now pass the whiskey

To top it off I was being watched by Dodo. Not going to be able to insist she tries new things if I don't go for one of these critters with an open mind. So open mind and open mouth it was. It really wasn't that bad, in fact it was alright. Crispy on the outside soft in the middle, not the best thing or the worst. I just wished there had been whiskey involved.

The unexpected twist was from my up for anything Dodo..now bare in mind she is off school for the third day running and has had a fever! She pipes up.."can I try a bug please Noy?" Heart swelled with pride! I love that girl.

Fearless..kinda!?!

 

 

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Rain, Riots and rather nice trees

We have been feeling rather stuck lately with the on again off again depths of winter, alternating with surprise! today could be spring! What to wear? What do you dress the kids in? Frankly it's getting tedious..Sort it out British weather..

The clothing dilemma is only trumped by the what to do with the 3 kids that won't cost money..involve transport (we are not a car owning family) and is not weather dependant. I have pretty much run out of steam on that one, so now I am giving up and decided that rain will not be stopping play! Rain gear on, babies on, brollies up and out the door. 

Our first foray out in the rain took us just up the road to the One Tree Hill nature reserve in Honor Oak Park. The Hill is part of the green chain walk round London which we are going to start exploring. I was surprised how well sign posted the whole reserve is, loads of info as you make your way round the well marked paths. Wildlife, flora and fauna along with bits of local history are covered on the boards.This little gem really made me smile, it turns out that last years riots are nothing new in our neck of the woods, way back in 1897 up to 100,000 angry Londoners battled with police when a golf club fenced off the hill preventing access to local people. No looting over a plasma screen and a pair of trainers! 

As you head up the hill you see St Augustine church, we noticed posters for the One Tree Hill festival which is running from the 18th - 27th of May. You can find a full list of the events of the church website. The further into the reserve you go you almost forget that you are in a city until at the top of the hill you get rewarded with a spectacular view right across London, with Hampstead Heath and Alexandra Palace in the distance.

It's not a huge place and if the weather had been better we would have continued with the green chain walk but just mooching round in the rain looking at the stunning trees and the cloudy view made all of us feel a little bit fresher. Dodo was impressed with the secret nature on her doorstep and the twins loved looking at everything from the cosy comfort of the sling. Otis has been dubbed "nature boy" as he gets a huge grin and starts kicking his legs every time he looks at a tree! We will make the effort to get out a explore more often..fingers crossed in some sunshine.

Tea Dance For Little People

There has been much excitement in our neck of the woods about the opening of TDLP, a fantastic new creative play space for the under fives. The brainchild of local mum Sally-Anne Donaldson, who has brought together artists, dancers and musicians to engage your children in a variety of activities based around a changing monthly theme.

Painting fish

Add to this the fab little cafe where you can grab a very good cup of Monmouth coffee and you have a hit on your hands in my book! Great quality snacks are available for hungry little ones, Dodo is rather partial to the avocado on toast. You can really tell that a mum is involved with the menu and overall planning of the place, even down to the kid friendly seating.

 The theme this month has been the beach and all things nautical. With a pirate ship made from cardboard boxes and cushions and a sandpit perfect for digging up treasure. The creativity and thought that has gone into decorating the space is impressive, certainly loads of ideas for rainy day fun you can do at home. We have visited 3 times so far during this month and with a different artist each week to inspire Dodo there is no sign of her getting bored with this theme! Given half a chance she would be there everyday.

 

 

 

 

 

Pirate ship perfect for walking the plank

There is a program of twilight activities planned from September including kid's yoga and French through dance. For more information on these do check out the lovely website http://www.tdlp.co.uk/
We are very lucky to live just down the road and will be making full use of all the fun on offer, but with the easy access on the East London line to Brockley station there is no reason for us South East Londoners to keep this all to ourselves. I highly recommend you make a visit soon.

Playing with a mermaid

 

 

Sandy fun..and a deckchair for mum!

 I will give the last word to a very tired and laid back Dodo..You can find the TDLP at The Tea Factory, 106 Endwell Road, London SE4 2LX

The Gallery: Water

In it, under it, next to it, on it..that is where I am at my best. Happy times for me have always been associated with water. I have worked on yachts, I dive, I love to swim and whenever I get the chance I choose to live close to the sea or at the very least a river. Being back in South East London is pretty tough as it's still a bit far from the Thames for my liking! I am hoping Dodo will feel the same and have had her in the sea at every possible opportunity.

Start em' young

Play time with the sharks

Thailand is so connected with water and that is probably one of the reasons I like it so much. Bangkok with it's great muddy brown Chao Phraya river and the coast line and islands with fantastic beaches and world class dive sites. Not forgetting the most important festival in Thai culture, Songkran. The best excuse for a huge 3 day long water fight. Very handy that it falls around the time of my birthday in April, so I never have to plan a party for myself again! Just step out the door armed with the biggest water pistol I can get my hands on and prepare to get soaked. The heat has really started to pick up by April so a good drenching is just what everyone needs..add crazy music, beer and loads of white slimy chalk that the friendly locals love to smear all over everyone (not at all pervy if you were wondering!) and you end up feeling totally childish and having brilliant fun. Yeah I guess you can tell how much I love it! I could go on but I will spare you..This year I tried to introduce Dodo to the whole Songkran festival experience..didn't quiet go as planned..Will let the pictures do the talking!

LolliBop 2011..Dodo's *ever so slightly* ranty verdict!

Given the late change of plans to stay and have the twins in London I had done nada in the way of booking fun stuff for poor Dodo. So spotting LolliBop tweets and a quick look at the weather outside I thought it might be an ideal chance to get out in the fresh air and have some festival action minus mud and camping.
In my condition the prospect of a whole day trooping about London with Dodo was a bit daunting so I was very glad that Nana was free and able to come along to help me out. This was to be the best decision of the day given the amount of queuing that LolliBop requires!
We thought we would be clever and get of the tube at Baker Street, which would have been fine if we had then walked the right way..we didn't. What followed was a lot of walking round looking for signs (there was none!) picking up other lost families saying the same thing. We all got there in the end and after parting with our on the door ticket fee of £30 (cursing myself for not being savvy and booking online..in advance!) we made it through the gates..and then we saw the queues.

Almost there! The long walk through Regents Park

One of the great things about Lollibop is that most of the activities are included in the ticket price. When you stop and work out how much the face painting, craft workshops, inflatables and full length stage shows would cost if you had paid for them all separately then the £30 starts to sound pretty good value. Now if you are an organised grown up (I try..and fail) you would have a picnic and a blanket and all that   sorted..if not then you will have to join the mega queue for expensive food! This is where having the other adult helper comes in. If you take it in turns to stand in the line while one of you takes the kids to a nearby activity you can avoid the meltdowns that would ensue, mine most likely. We employed this system in all the queues and it worked pretty well. 

Face painting included..worth the wait!

Dodo got to take part in pretty much everything that she wanted, and for me the biggest joy was having a day where I could say YES to almost everything! I realised how often I have to say no. The look of pure glee on the kids faces with all the fun they were having made all the waiting worthwhile.

There has been talk of the festival being to character heavy, with all the usual Cbeebies favourites in the line up. This didn't bother me at all as there was plenty of great arts and crafts and physical play on offer. Rastamouse was a highlight (for me!) and he seemed to crop up all over the place so no worries about missing him! You could spend the whole day without the t.v characters. I would suggest checking out the line up and when you arrive do a quick dash round and book workshops/pick up tickets for shows that might fill up later.

Mask making..glitter fest!

Tada!

So to sum up..Yes we would do it again..Book in advance (for the Friday if you can, avoid the scrum at the weekend) Take a picnic..Take another adult...Be prepared for queues..and have loads of FUN! We did. Last word goes to a camera shy (it won't last!) Dodo.