Monday 29 February 2016

Doing It By Himself

Well Bear is all grown up. He doesn't need any help from Grandad or Nanny to have his bottle in the mornings. Or to drink water from an open cup. He doesn't need a morning nap either. He's doing it by himself.

Woe betide a helping hand! Teddy's will be thrown. There will be stomping of feet and slamming of doors. Then tears. 
We have to guess what it was we have done wrong, stop doing it and then all is right with the world.

He's a big boy now. He's 16¾ months old. He's doing it by himself. I just can't wait until he's a teenager.


toddler lying on floor with head on cushion, blanket over lap, drinking milk from bottle
Lots of tears and shouts before we got this exactly right. Happy grown up Bear.

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Sunday 28 February 2016

#MySundayPhoto Number 9



#MySundayPhoto this week is of our Magnolia Stellata just breaking into flower. The day was glorious, the sun shone and out of the wind it was warm.

The sky was blue and just one bud had burst. Spring is really on it's way.





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Friday 26 February 2016

A Cardiff Garden In February

Welcome to my Cardiff Garden. February has given us beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Cold frosty days, more rain and days so warm I thought Summer couldn't be too far away. Lots of plants have continued to flower throughout the year and we can welcome a few new ones too.

The mild weather brings pests. The usual slugs and something that has attacked the passion flower. A few days ago it was looking beautiful and now it is looking so very brown and sad. Lets hope whatever it is doesn't kill it!

We are also seeing more wildlife in the garden although catching them on camera is proving difficult.

I hope you enjoy my pictures of a Cardiff Garden.



A blue-tit on a fat ball feeder
Blue-tit through the glass patio doors so a bit hazy
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Monday 22 February 2016

Half Term Hibernation

It's half term this week so all of us who have only pre-school children have hidden away and hibernated until the big children go back to school and give us our peace and quiet back. Everything costs more and is so busy. I know that's how it is but if you have a couple of school age children it just works out so expensive. Although idle hands.......



Toddler bent over in kitchen drawer, onions scattered across the foor
Bear throwing onions out of the drawer, potatoes next.

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Sunday 21 February 2016

#MySundayPhoto Number 8









This week #MySundayPhoto is of Bear and a daffodil. 

We had gone to the park and the playground was shut. It was a beautiful sunny day but very cold. We found a patch of daffodils and Bear found one just lying on the floor. He grabbed it like it was treasure and legged it! 


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Wednesday 17 February 2016

Meningitis B Vaccination - Who Should Pay?

In the news this week has been the devastating story of Faye Burdett, a toddler who died from sepsis caused by meningitis. The family had the most awful choice. Major surgery, involving multiple amputations, that had a really high risk of killing their 2 year old or allow her to pass away peacefully. They chose the second option. I do not know what I would choose and I hope I never have to.

What is really tragic is that this illness can be vaccinated against. The vaccine is safe and gives 90% immunity. So why didn't they get their precious baby vaccinated? Were they one of the parents that do not agree with vaccinations? No, this vaccine is only available on the NHS to babies born after 1st July 2015. 

Their baby was too old.

Faye was two years old.

My grandson is too old. 

He's 16 months old and too old for this government to protect him from this awful disease. He was born 10 months to soon. If he has any siblings or cousins they will be protected. They will be born after July 2015.

So should I pay to have him protected? 

The meningitis B vaccine is available privately and it would take (depending on age) about three doses. The cost to the NHS is £75 + vat. To you and me it would cost a minimum of £125+ for each dose. That's £375 for the full vaccination. Is my grandson worth it? Absolutely! He's worth his weight in gold. Should I pay for it? 

What about all the children that have no-one that can pay for it? Should they be disadvantaged? Children under five, teenagers and young people are most at risk. They should all be vaccinated on the NHS.

Parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, friends should never have to experience this. It is preventable and that is what the NHS should be doing, preventing illness. If Faye had survived she would have been seriously handicapped, not just physically but possibly mentally too. This disease is of the membranes around the brain, there is a very high risk of damage to the brain. 

The effects of meningitis cost the nation vast amount of money and heartache. It is preventable. Young people are the major transmitters of this disease. University's are the ideal environment for transfer from one individual to another. It is thought that vaccinating young people would drastically reduce the risk of contracting meningitis.

The Government must give the NHS funding to roll this out to all children as soon as possible. There is a petition to ask the government to fund this here. I've signed it.

Most of my facts were found on this excellent website. http://www.meningitis.org/menb-vaccine 

Should we pay to protect our children? Have you paid to have your child/grandchild vaccinated? 




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Monday 15 February 2016

Why I'm A Proud Grandmother

I'm a proud Grandmother.

Every day Bear does something that makes me laugh or gaze in wonderment at his new achievement. He is a really happy, mischievous little boy.

So what did he do this this week that made me so proud?

He hasn't been well for what seems like ages. Teething, cold, just off colour. This makes him short tempered and clingy.

I want to sit there, no not sit, carry me...not you! Put me down, pick me up...oh 

Whatever we do will be wrong. It's been that sort of week. (Update - Bear went to the Dr's on Friday and has a sore throat and an ear infection. He needed antibiotics too. No wonder he was grumpy)

Wednesday was Tot's club and off we went a little late. We are always late! It was heaving. Every toddler from North Cardiff must have turned up.


toddler looking into full room


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Sunday 14 February 2016

#MySundayPhoto Number 7

#MySundayPhoto this week is a picture of the beautiful table, decorated by her friends, at my daughters hen night.

It was a great night at the Cosy Club. Fantastic friends, delicious food and not too much to drink. It was very elegant and we laughed so much!





OneDad3Girls
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Saturday 13 February 2016

Cosy Club Cardiff - Review

The Cosy Club Cardiff is a popular restaurant in the City Centre. I have been for lunch on a few occasions and the food is scrummy!


image-of-menu-at-Cosy-Club-Cardiff
Cosy Club Cardiff Menu

My daughter is getting married at the end of February and her friends chose the Cosy Club for her hen night. They are not drinkers and they wanted somewhere we could all talk, so not too noisy, and that had great food.
The Cosy Club were happy for the table to be decorated and being a Sunday evening it wasn't too busy.
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Friday 12 February 2016

How to Sew a Crochet Hook Roll - Perfect Gift For Mothers Day

Are you looking for something special for a Mothers Day Gift? This would also be perfect for a birthday or Christmas present. If you can sew a straight line then this is an easy and perfect gift for anyone who loves to crochet.

My daughter in law loves to crochet and she bought herself some fabric, buttons and lace from The Works. It was not at all expensive. With a sketch from her and my notes when I made myself a knitting needle roll I made a crochet hook roll. I practised with some Rosalind Rose fat quarters from Higgs and Higgs . A stunningly beautiful floral, with a complimentary polka dot and a plain lemon cotton. I just love their fabrics. After I did my practice run I changed the pattern slightly and made my daughter in laws. Both are just so practical and pretty.

The amount of fabric needed is small. It could be cut from your favourite remnants or even from clothing no longer worn, maybe a skirt or blouse.

This roll has slots for crochet hooks and a pair of scissors. It has a little pocket for needles and a ribbon to hang stitch/row markers.

The completed size is approx 6½" high and 13½" long. When rolled it is approx 2½" wide, depending on how many hooks you squeeze in!


crochet hook roll in flower print fabric
Beautiful Crochet Hook Roll


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Monday 8 February 2016

Kissing Worms and Other Toddler Delights

We have had a great week. Bear finally seems to have recovered from whatever it was that made him poorly last week, although Grandad is now full of cold.


On Monday Bear helped me make Blueberry Muffins. Now I'm not the best baker so he couldn't really mess it up and they are so easy to make anyway. I halved the amount of sugar so they were toddler friendly and used frozen blueberries. The problem with frozen blueberries is that when they thaw lots of  lovely blue juice runs out.


toddler sat on chair with blueberry stain around mouth
I helped with the blueberries!

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Sunday 7 February 2016

#MySundayPhoto Number 6

a pair of blue wellies on the floor next to a step
Don't Touch!


This week #MySundayPhoto isn't the best photo. It's a bit blurred and grainy. It represents a milestone.

Bear placed his wellies on the floor and said "Don't touch!" then climbed the stairs for his afternoon nap. The photo was hastily snapped with my iPad as I rushed after him. This was his first sentence that he instigated that had meaning.




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Monday 1 February 2016

The Big Garden Birdwatch 2016 Update

I thought I would update you on how I got on with The Big Garden Birdwatch. Show you my fabulous pictures of the birds in my garden feeding on the wonderful food I have put out.

Oh dear! I know I should have done The Big Garden Birdwatch on Saturday when the sun was shining but I had decided already to do it on Sunday. I was very busy on Saturday sewing and Bear came for a visit.


A bird flying in a cloudy sky

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