Ninety-one

Great Mama Kitty is Ninety-one today, so we went to visit and take some birthday presents. We have taken a picture like this of Great Mama Kitty and little Kitty sitting together on the sofa every time we have visited since Kitty was born, so have quite a collection now!

Kitty had lots of fun playing with Mama and Grandad. Mama and Kitty especially enjoyed playing police ladies in their pyjamas.

On the way back home, we stopped off at Matlock Bath for a sandwich and an ice cream.

Kitty charmed grandad into letting her have a Bob the Builder ride too.

Raising money and veg

Kitty made me a beautiful daffodil card for mothers day.

For Sport Relief, Kitty took part in a sponsored aerobics class at school. It was run by one of the other parents who is a trained instructor, so she

designed a special half hour session for tots. Kitty raised £14.

Kitty was very pleased with herself and counted her sponsor money about 300 times.

Note grandad Simpson's lovely handmade bowl.

As the weather has improved recently, we have been spending a bit of time outside tidying the garden. Kitty is keen to help.

We dug over last years potato patch and found a few stray spuds.

When she gets bored with gardening, there are always circles to draw.

We won the Premium Bonds. First time, £25, whoa!

I went on a trip to Blackpool for work to look at some public art. It was a lovely day and I wish I had taken Kitty with me. We have decided to take her at Easter, but for now here are some of the bits I liked:

Lighting at the Library.

High Tide Organ.

Doesn't look so good, but this is pretty cool:

Giant disco ball.

War Memorial.

Carved tree stump.

2 x wee stars

Kitty is growing fast and learning new things on a daily basis. She has been obsessing over her little potty for a while now at home (though not actually using it) but this week we asked them to let her have a go at school with the big kids. They said it was a bit early yet, but on the very first day she came home with two 'wee stars'. She proudly helped me stick them up on the cupboard.

Just a few other amazing things Kitty can now do:

Count to 10 (sometimes missing 7 and 8).
Put on and take off her own nappy.
Put on and take off her own shoes and socks.
Put on and take off her pyjamas.
Sing Bob the Builder (and many other songs, but Bob is the current favourite).
Wash and dry her own face.
Several domestic chores like - loading the dish washer, washing machine, hovering and cleaning work surfaces and windows.
Walk upstairs (counting as she goes).
Thread beads on a string.
Every animal noise you can think of.

.......I have also caught her tottering around in my high-heels, but I'm not sure that's a good thing!

She is becoming a bit of a clean freak.....and likes to show me every bit of fluff and muck she finds. Here she was quite unhappy about a biscuit crumb she found on her oven.

She still likes to get grubby outside though, and feeding the smelly goats is always good fun.

Now that the weather is slightly better, we have been able to play out on the swing.

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

It's party season and already this month Kitty has enjoyed dancing with the big girls at her friend Calista's 8th birthday party and special Chinese New Year celebrations at school and at Grandma and Grandad Pih's house.

I made some cute little 'Year of the Tiger' colouring books as presents for Kitty's friends. I downloaded some pictures from the internet, laid them out in a book format, printed and then stapled together with a craft paper cover. They were really easy and together with a lucky red envelope containing chocolate coins, were a hit with the tots.

We got Kitty a couple of Chinese themed books including 'This is Hong Kong' which is really nice.

Kitty had a go at eating noodles with chopsticks. She was very enthusiastic, though most of what went in her mouth was actually put there by her hands.

I finally finished this little top that I started weeks ago using a very simple pattern from one of my Japanese sewing books. Fabric is a pretty Liberty Tana Tawn remnant from The Fent Shop in Skipton. I think she likes it, although she looks pretty moody wearing it here.

Unexpected snow fall during our weekend at the Simpson's meant Kitty and Grandad got the opportunity to build yet more snowmen. Lots of fun. Hopefully a picture to follow........(come on grandad, send us a picture!)

Mama and Grandma

Over the last two weekend, both Mama & Grandad Simpson and Grandma & Grandad Pih have been to visit. Kitty really loves all the attention (and the gifts that generally accompany grandparents!) and spent the whole time with both showing off, dancing, singing and getting everyone to play tea-party with her.

We did a bit of shopping with Mama and Grandad. Kitty decided to buy a cool red sledge with some money she had. There is no snow now, but more is forecast this week. Best to be prepared.

Despite it being extremely cold, we went up to the Atom with Grandma. Bert came too. Kitty was very insistent that she was left to ramble the steep hill by herself.

Also....Peahead's band Motion Picture Association got played on new Leeds radio station Cannonball.

Hello goodbye Eugene

Since Christmas our beloved Eugene has been living with our friend Toby. Although he is the best dog in the world (along with Bert of course) and we love him loads, he needs lots of care and attention and since Kitty arrived we had been struggling a little bit to give him as much time as he deserved. Our walking time in particular had suffered and Eugene was starting to stress, frequently misbehaving in the house and running off at any opportunity. He went to stay with Toby for a few weekends just to give us and him a break and when Toby said he would take him more permanently, we knew it was the best thing for him. Toby loves him too, takes him everywhere and more importantly gives him lots and lots of long walks. Eugie seems very happy.

Tonight, Toby came over and brought Eugene to see us. We gave him lots of cuddles and he played with Bert for a while before we said goodbye again. We miss him, but he is happy. Toby doesn't live locally, but we see him quite frequently so I'm sure he'll be visiting again soon.

Potato head

Last summers tasty home-grown spuds

Despite neglecting my garden all last year due to the trials of having a small baby hanging around, I did manage to get a few spuds in. We got about eight meals worth during the summer and they were so nice, I am determined that I'm going to get a full crop going this year.

Gwen, my friend at work runs an allotment society and has let me put in an order for some seed potatoes with them. They buy them together from the Calder Valley Organic Gardeners and we should receive them around the end of February. I can't wait. I don't really have enough room, but I have ordered Accents (first earlies), Belle de Fontenay and Wilja (second earlies), Nicola and Pink Fir Apple (maincrop).

I have been studying my vegetable book closely and am keen to also try some of the coloured varieties, blues and purple eyes. The CVOG will be holding a potato day on 27th Feb where you can go and buy other more unusual varieties. Maybe Kitty and I will venture over there.

I also found these Purple Haze carrot seeds in Wilko yesterday. I've never had much luck with carrots, but you have to give it a go when purple ones are the prize! How yummy will these look in a salad or stir-fry.

In the mean time, Kitty and I had fun today baking poppy seed bread. Not sure if it was the new recipe or Kitty's kneading technique but they actually turned out well. They don't look as good as the ones in the book, but they certainly taste good.

10g fresh yeast

500g strong bread flour

350g water (measured rather than weighed for accuracy)

10g salt

poppy seeds

mix, rest for 1 hr, cut into 12, rest for 45 mins, bake at 240c for 12 mins. Done.