Closing Bubbas and Mummas

I finally took the steps today to close Bubbas and Mummas for an indefinite period. I have found over the past 6 months that I am unable to juggle B&M with the three children and a hubby. It is a sad decision for me as I love being creative, making a difference and being active but I do hope that in the future I will be able to return to B&M maybe when all my Bubbas are at school. Finally I will get a chance to sew for my lovely little ones. I have so many patterns for hats, shirts, dresses, aprons, bags etc so keep a look out for future blogs!

I am having a clear out at the moment with 20% off remaining stock so take a look and stock up on some gifts.

Stuff ...

The Mothers Group I belong to is having a Yard Sale next week so myself and the kids did a big clean up to see what things we could sell. Laith thought this was a great idea when i explained the concept of selling things we don't use anymore so we save some money, give some money to others who are less fortunate and also we can buy things we need ... he pondered for a moment and then said ... like Planet Protectors? (they are world saving figures from ELC). hmm yes, but did you also hear the bit about saving and giving honey?

Hours later and feeling a little "lighter" without all the added "stuff" in the bedrooms we came up with this! I truly felt sick when I saw this pile.
Now shamefully I have to say that since taking this photo we have added more and of course that does not include the bigger items like pram, car seat, bassinet, swing etc. Even if we have another baby in the future (ok don't start rushing me emails i said IF) we still have everything we need and this is all extra.

Over the past few months I have been giving some serious thought about the way we live our lives, how our children are learning, the amount of "plastic" things we have (and don't need) that in the long run are harmful to the environment, and what direction I would like to see us take to improve on the past and educate our children better.

So fingers crossed we can sell lots at the sale. We will also be donating a lot to Dar Al Atta who do wonderful community service here in Oman. This exercise will also be a learning point for Laith as with his "share" of the money he will be able to get 1 Planet Protector and also give some of his money to those less fortunate.

we learn a little more each day don't we
xxxx
Clo

The Present Challenge

I have set a challenge for myself this year. Instead of buying presents I will make them. In particular I like to make things for the kids as they go so much "plastic stuff". A few weeks ago I made the crayon roll for Eva and today I gave Matthew this embroidered bag with a lovely story book. This is a big challenge given the amount of birthdays that come up during the year, not to mention Christmas etc so fingers crossed I can stick to it.


This is Matthew's gift. (I had just ironed it and there is a water smudge on the bag - sorry I was in rush for it to dry so I could wrap it in some ribbon and run out the door).

Very Frustrating Day

I could go on and on about what a frustrating day I had but I won't instead I will give you the brief version. This morning I went to see how my car was going as 2 weeks ago they said it would take about a month. When I got there my car was sitting outside in the car service area yard covered in dust inside and out (the back windows were smashed so now its all open). They have not even started!!! I lost the plot big time. Three managers later I was dealing with someone of some authority who told me that the back of the car needs replacing and it has to come from Korea and it will take another 4 weeks to arrive. By now I am fuming that no one has called me to update me etc. I rant and rave about the fact that I have no car and three children and this not acceptable. I get alot of "yes I understand" but no solutions. I am still not satisfied so the GM gets involved over the phone. They tell me they will take the matter up with him immediately and call me later in the day. I was already an hour late so I agreed to leave. They did call later as promised (a tick for them) to tell me that my car would be ready .... wait for it .... by MID MAY!!!!!!!!! We had the accident on the 24th January. THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE MATTER ...

On to nicer news. Yesterday we were doing some painting in the afternoon using blowpens. Lulu took a while to get the concept of blowing to make the spray paint and this stuff does not come off. After several hand washes and now three showers later I still have purple paint on my hands! So you can imagine what my "pretty girl" looks like!

Kids and Cooking

Sometimes it is hard to cook and keep the kids entertained at the same time. Yesterday we had one of those afternoons when it just clicked - ah bliss.I was looking for some things to make with my big bag of sweet potato and a bag of corn that we picked up from the roadside veggie man on Thursday. So I made some sweet potato and corn chowder which was a big hit with the kids (probably because I did not mention the word soup!) and plenty left over for the freezer. And for a healthy snack I did some sweet potato chips in the microwave (i got the idea of this gals blog ). I used a few different seasonings and Ali had them with a ricotta and roasted tomato / onion and garlic dip, yummo and a success, you have to love it when that happens.
The kids were happy to play with their playdough and "cook" me some things while Sami looked on. On Thursday we had a very big roast up of all the veggies in the crisper and have had some lovely sandwiches and pasta since. I wish I had thought to do this sooner. I saw the other veggie man has crates of tomatoes yesterday so I was thinking I would do a big batch but I need to find out how long they would last in the fridge.

that all for now ....

Too Cute Patterns

I was doing my usual Thursday night blog reading and I came across this wonderful blog that showed some pretty girls dress patterns. Immediately I knew I would have to get the tutu and the reversible pattern. They come via email which I really like.

You can see them here . I am still trying to work out how this mother of 8 has time to be so creative and sew! WOW. And scroll down the blog and have a look at those easter baskets, too cute!

My hat is off to you Mumma!

An afternoon at the beach

You just have to LOVE "winter" in Oman!
Yesterday we had a lovely afternoon at the beach with Laila and her two kiddies Noora (Lulu's best friend from nursery) and Abdulla. the weather was wonderful. It was about 4pm and the water was so calm, and warm which amazed me (in fact I had not even packed swimmers for the kids as I thought it would be too cold!).As you can see Sami was not amused by the water so it was just a quick dip for him, where as Abdulla (10 mths) just lapped it up! This afternoon we headed back down the beach with Ali and what a shock. It was choppy, windy, cold and a bunch of (grrr insert what ever word takes your fancy) noisy quad bike riders were all over the beach so we had to go way down the other end. We still stayed on the beach and had a play but not for too long.


I am also VERY happy to say that I finally finished a well overdue order. Here are two of the blankets ...

Our Bit for the Environment

I was very happy that Lujayne's nursery sent a letter home to the parents asking them to recycle some things back to the school so they can use them for arts and crafts. I had talked to the director a while ago about doing this as I had started bringing in our empty cereal boxes, egg cartons, toilet roll cardboard inners etc. We keep some for our A&C at home but we have so much left over and I hate throwing them out knowing how much fun the kids can have with them and the endless amount of thing you can make. So hip-hip-hooray another small victory for Mother Earth!

This is Lulu's Recycle Bag that we are going to now leave in the kitchen so we have somewhere to put recyclable goods during the week and then once a week she can bring the bag to school. In hindsight it is a little small for the big egg trays we have but I was thinking more of Lulu at the time rather than the items (silly ol me).

Today I also finished one of the four embroidered blankets I have been working on for a well over due order. I will try and push on tonight to get more done. I would put a photo up but it is a gift for someone and while I know very well she won't be looking at my blog I would hate to spoil the surprise.

The weather here is starting to warm up a little. I am currently walking to the kids schools (they are next door to each other) to pick them up and then pushing them home in the double pram but I have to tell you today I was a little sweaty by the time we got home. It is anticipated the car will be another month so that should be interesting!

Valentines Day

Valentines Day, ahhh sweet love is in the air. The kids had fun making their love heart cards for Daddy. Laith wanted to make a cake (which has been our tradition for the past two years) but I have been battling the flu with a headache that is soaring off the charts and bones that feel very heavy and sore (sob sob sympathy seeker) so sadly I told him no. He was very upset poor things but alas he got over it. I got busy making some presents for Laith and Lulu, a new cover for their corn therapy bags (you know hot and cold bags which are yummy heated and placed in the bed before sleeping!) with their names embroidered on the front. And for Ali a keepsake bag for all his cards, and special notes etc.
I know Ali's bag seems a bit gooey with a bear and all but I just figured it is so he can keep all his "gooey" cards from the kids in there and today I wrote him a "Love Is ..." poem (for want of a better word) and placed it inside ... very corny I know!While I was busy finishing them they all got together to play music and sing. let's just say no one will be going off to audition for Idol just yet ...
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE
XOXOXOXOXOX

The last few days ...

Most nights I plan on sitting down and posting about the days events but often I don't quite get there. Sometimes Sami wakes, sometimes Ali is on the computer and other times I am just too tired!

Lets work backwards. Today was Lujayne's Nursery Talent Show (they actually called it a competition which I thought was a little much for toddlers so I am sticking to "show"). Lulu went as a fairy and she handled it quite well. A little shy but cute just the same (ah such a mumma comment).

OK, now I am bored! Norhan and Sami came along. As did Laith who was evidently having a "bad hair" day!

This afternoon we were exhausted from making cookies and mini cupcakes for Ali to take to work tomorrow for the Bake Sale to raise funds for The Challenge (all proceeds to the Cancer Foundation).Sami has been as gorgeous as ever (just had to throw that in).And the kids painted some "cars" and raced around the yard in them. We had fun making them and I am still finding paint splats from Lulu's "oops mummy" accident.I am making a bag for Lulu to take to school with her "recycled" bits. I am really pleased that after talking with the school they have sent a letter home asking parents for recycled things from home that they can use for craft .... ah one small victory for Mother Earth.In between all this fun I have finally finished JW's order and I am working very hard to get LAM blankets finished. Pics from those tomorrow I think.

Snowing in Oman

yes, you heard right, it has been snowing in the mountains - unheard of!

From the Tribune newspaper ...
" MUSCAT It was a rare sight for the residents of this calm and remote village on Tuesday. A large area of Yasab village, located on the Wadi Asshatin mountains in the Wilayat of Rustaq, was enveloped by snow. To the surprise of the local people, rocks, trees and all plants were covered with a thick cover of snow."

Birthday Parties ... an endless journey

You go through phases in your life don't you. Like 21st's, then weddings, then baby showers, then 40th birthdays and somewhere in between come children's birthday parties which are going to be happening for the next 10 - 15 years or so. Parties can be as lavish as they get with the jumping castles, clowns, donkey rides etc to the coffee and cake variety. To be honest I love them all because it is always nice to see kids being kids and just having fun.

Today we were at Eva's 2nd birthday. Eva has an older brother around Laith's age so he came along to play with the "big boys". It was a really nice relaxing party where the host didn't even get to do her two games because the kids were all playing so nicely in the toddler hut. Aas we left I saw the parcels (for pass the parcel) in the corner I thought"well done mum, you didn't even have to start the games" which are usually saved for when kids become restless.

Anyway here is the present I made for Eva. It is bag to match the embroidered crayon roll and I put a drawing book in the bag for her.



It is COLD here and I am loving it!

Lulu's Crayons Roll

I finished Lujayne's crayon roll the other night as promised and then gave them to the kids the next day after lunch. They were over the moon and Lulu has not stopped colouring in! and here is another one I did with the smaller size crayons ... you can tell i have enjoyed making these . If you would like to make one yourself got to this site for instructions, a big thank you to Cindy for doing the tutorial.

I changed my slightly in terms of size but the general gist is there for you. Also in hindsight I would like to add a flap that goes over the top of the crayons because when the roll is closed the crayons can mark the fabric which is ok if it is a print but when it is plain (like the one I did for Eva's birthday) it shows more.

Crayon Roll

Today was cold, well cold for Muscat anyway. I LOVE days like today. I know the summer will be here soon so any coolness is much appreciated.

I want to make a gift for a little girl who is turning 2 this week and I thought a crayon roll and drawing pad would be nice however I had never made one ... hmmm ... until today.

The first one I did was too short for the fat chunky crayons (which are better IMHO for little hands) so my second attempt is this one which I will give to Laith (he is mad crazy about pirates!) and tonight I will make another for Lulu.

DH saw them and said he thought they might be good to sell for his fund raising for The BG Challenge (all funds to Cancer Council). So maybe I will end up making a few for him to sell at work, lets see.

Today I got all the embroidery ready to make a lot of bags and blankets as I have outstanding orders ... so let me get back to them.

Nite nite.

Training Pants for Lulu

No it's not marathon time and she is not competing in the muscat to salalah run ... it potty TRAINING - Yay (NOT!).

In the last week she has started wearing her big girl undies at home but I had not thought much about nursery until a friend of mine mentioned it to me today. So tonight I made these training pants for her. They are elastic so she can pull them up or down but they have a side snap which is very mummy friendly when you have to clean up messy poo (OK too much information for some of you LOL).

At the moment usually after lunch she will wait until I go to feed Sami and sneak off then I hear cries from Laith "MUM she's done it again, she has taken off her nappy and there is poo everywhere please come!" I'll give these pants a trial run at home this week before packing her off to school in them. Ahhhh the joys!

here are her new pants ... they have a PUL (water resistant) outer, a flannel inner and a hidden soaker of 4 layers of bamboo knit. They are designed so that she still feels wet and can contain any "accidents" but not intended to be left on like a nappy.

Comparing the kids

When I saw the photo of Sami today it reminded me that I had taken photo's of the other two in the same playseat so I went looking for them. I have photos of Laith when he was almost 6 mths, and Lulu when she was 4 and half months old so about the same as Sami, ahhh they grow so fast!


Here is Sami
and Laith
and Lulu
ok now I had better get off to bed ... nite all