Half Term Highlights

Today is an teacher training day, so we are off to spend the day with Grandma, original plans had to be changed due to the weather, but we have had a fantastic half term break, the weather has been mostly kind and it has been so much fun watching the boys play together.

Our Fab day at Emma Bridgewater

Baking our best in the world oat and raisin cookies

Spending time together just chilling in the garden

Watching our veg plants grow, the warm weather has made a real difference

Having fun in the paddling pool

Good job the neighbours don't mind the boys running around naked

Visiting Whiby with Grandma and having fish and chips from The Magpie and treats from the old fashions sweet shop.

Days out to the beach

We really had great weather for it (no it is not my windbreak)!

The boys spent more time wet than dry.

Lots of fun in the local parks was had too.

Before we had school and preschool I used to dread the half term holidays as all the things we did, the toddler groups would be cancelled, but now it is wonderful to spend quality time all together.  I can not wait for the summer holidays.  I hope you had a great time too.

Why you should vote for me

Today is the final day for voting in The Mads.  I am one of the final five who are up for the Best family Fun Blog, so I am putting in a shameless, last ditched attempt to gain your votes.

So here are some reasons why I think we fit the bill

Crafting with Children

Fathers day is June 20th, so here I have some great ideas for Fathers day cards and gifts you can make with your children.

One of my most popular posts via search engine is the rain catchers we made inspired by Cbeebies.

Do you have lots of broken wax crayons?  Don't throw them away, try out recycling them in to make your own funky multi-coloured crayons.

Cooking with Children

Get creative in the kitchen with this recipe for home made naan bread and dahl.

best carrot cake in the whole wide world, don't believe me take a look at the comments!

Try out our home made pizza dough recipe

Great Ideas

.  Well my car packs came in so handy when we had a breakdown

When I was teaching the boys to set the table, I made a printed table mat and also made a fabric one for each of them too.

Rewards and Incentives for children.   Read about our method of positive reinforcement and rewards to encourage good behaviour

Wonderful Readers

One of the most inspiring things I have learned from blogging is the support and comments I receive from my readers and commenter's. A great example is that fact that Mini suffers from terrible tantrums and the advise and support I received was life changing for us all. Read about the recomendations and how we implemented the ideas.



Voting closes tonight at midnight, so if you haven't voted for TheMadHouse yet, then please click here and give me your vote!

Emma Bridgewater - Getting to be a designer

The highlight of the afternoon of our day at Emma Bridgewater was that we all got to have a go at decorating some mugs.

It was so much fun, they have a large selection of pre cut sponges and a great choice of paint.

The boys really enjoyed expressing themselves.

MadDad had a go too, in fact his mug looked fantastic, he did tractors.

Maxi really concentrated hard whilst painting his mug.

Mini had some expert help at hand.

We can not wait until the glazed finished mugs are posted to us.  It was so much fun and it as fantastic watching everyone get really stuck in.

Emma Bridgewater - Factory Tour, Part One

Part OneWe had a fantastic day out at The Emma Bridgewater Factory on Tuesday to celebrate their 25th Birthday. 

We started the day in the newly refubished cafe area of the factory for a tea and coffee and to meet my fellow bloggers.  Josie at Sleep is for the Weak, Becky at English Mum with her two boys (who were a real pleasure), Racheal from Tales from the  Village and we also made a new friend in Kate from Kitchen Critic.  There was this fantastic Aga, I was salivating!

It is such a lovely relaxing area to meet and have a good old chat with everyone.

We were then taken on a tour of the factory by Jamie, it was amazing and managed to hold the attention of Maxi and Mini most of the way round.  It is wonderful to see so many crafts people at work, showing real skill and dedication.

This is where the slipwear is made - The web site has a great video explaining it all, which we showed the boys before our visit.

There are pots drying everywhere and you can see the difference in the colour.

MadDad had a go at throwing a plate.  One of the best parts of the factory tour for us was the empoyees, they were all really welcoming and freindly.  The didnt mind us taking pictures nad were really happy to chat.

Many had been employed for a long time and they all really enjoyed their jobs.  This lady is finnishing the pots by removing excess clay from seams and edges.

There are two types of decoration, this photo shows the transfer method, which is done on preglazed pot.

The other method is by sponging the pattern.  It was wonderful to watch everyone at work, the photo above shows the personalisation.

It is such a skill and there is one lady who spends all day cutting the sponges for the patterns.  Each sponge only lasts on average 3 days.

Look at all the pottery waiting to go in to the kiln.  

The Gallery - Still Life

This weeks theme for The Gallery, which Tara at Sticky Fingers hosts is Still Life.  Me and a group of bloggers were invited to Emma Bridgewater this week and I took over 300 photo's.  So here are a few (I have a full post to follow), so this is a sneak peak.

A Wonderful Bank Holiday Monday spent in the Kitchen and Garden

I think the sun forgot our little park of the North East today.

So we have spent the day baking.

Maxi did all the weighing and measuring

Mini did most of the stirring and tasting

We have had a lot of fun and made lots of cakes

Oat and raisin cooks and mince pies (mini's favorites)

Many Muffins, sweet mincemeat and St Stephens Day Muffins, in addition to some fairy cakes.

Whilst I was busy in the kitchen, MadDad tended the garden, including planting out the courgettes and cucumbers.

Everything is looking great and really coming along.

He also washed and cleaned the cars, ready for the trip we are taking today to Emma Bridgewater's Factory to celebrate their 25th Anniversary with them. We are very excited and I am sure will have loads to show and tell you.