Counting Down To Easter With Kids: Grow Your Own Easter Grass

You know when you look on Pinterest or in a magazine and you see beautiful Easer displays with lush-looking, thick grass? And you think, doesn't that loook gorgeous? And then you look outside and see the miserable excuse for a lawn that your children have trodden to bits? And you sigh and flick to the next page, looking for inspiration for decorations you are more likely to be able to reproduce for Easter Sunday and that you could maybe involve the kids in?

Well stop right there. Here is how you can grow your own lush and juicy looking grass in just two weeks with very little effort. In fact, you can get your children to do it for you, it is that simple. And it grows so quickly, they will love how they can almost watch it grow, hour by hour.

Here's  what you need:

Water

Wheat grains (the kind brown bread is made from, but whole not shredded. You should be able to get them in a wholefood shop or a garden center)

A flat-bottomed container, preferably shallow or made of glass (I'll explain why further on)

Wheat grains like these are what you need to start your grass off. Don't be concerned that they are dry. So are cress seeds or any other seeds you buy. The wheat grains I used were bought in October and, in our house at least, usually get milled and and added to brown bread when I bake it. They have worked perfectly for grass.

Day 1: Place a layer of grains into a wide, flat-bottomed dish. Water the grains with just enough water to dampen them. Keep the dish somewhere where it gets lots of light. I keep ours on the landing under the skylight.

The reason you need a shallow or glass dish is to allow plenty of light to get to the grains to allow them to germinate and grow.

It doesn't have to be the dish that you intend using to display the grass in when it is grown. Once the grains extend roots, the roots intertwine and form a base beneath the grass stems.

Day 2-3: Water with just enough water to dampen the grains. Keep an eye on them to make sure that they don't dry out completely. The first of the grains will start to sprout. 

Day 4-7: By now most of the grains should have sprouted and the blades of grass will grow quite rapidly. Keep watering the grass daily with a small amount of water.

Day 8-10: By this stage the grass should look something like the photos below. Keep watering.

Day 11-14: By the time two weeks have passed, your Easter grass should be looking long and thick, and be a nice bright shade of green.

All that remains to be done is decide on how to decorate. Adding little chicks, foil-wrapped chocolate bunnies, painted or dyed eggs, snowdrops or miniature daffodils are some pretty ideas you could try.

I'll be posting more photos as and when I set up my own decorations. But for now here's a sneak peak at a version I was working on the other day. 

The Dos and Don'ts of Bringing Children to a Christmas Market

Do:

Get them a mug of Kinderpunsch (hot, non-alcoholic punch)

Point out the twinkly fairy lights, the Christmas tree and any other light effects

Make sure they at least try some of the delicious, sweet and savoury food on offer

Let them go on the carousel

Bring them to see the crib

Make sure they see the handcrafts on display

Explain what they should do in case they get separated from you

Remember that their eyes are much lower down than yours. They may only see peoples bags, elbows and the backs of jackets

Expect a few grumpy moments after the initial awe

Don't:

Let them out of your sight for a moment

Say "we're not staying long", unless you really aren't

Promise what you can't deliver. Check in advance what events are on, what is on display, etc. before you go, if possible

Let them touch the items on display at the stall. It could end up costing you a lot.

Drink too much mulled wine

Things My Toddler Has Eaten Or Tried To Eat Today

It is 9.54am. Number Three and I been up for four hours. He's going through a phase (or so I keep telling The Bavarian, who is losing his reason will all the recent toddler-induced early mornings). As well as causing incredibly early wakefulness, this phase includes trying to eat anything and everything. 

1. Toilet cleaner - someone, naming no names, left the toilet cleaner on top of the loo and not in its high up hiding place. Luckily the top was well screwed on and I was right beside Number Three when he picked it up.

2. Chalk - this made it into the mouth before I could stop him. He'd been scribbling away happily on the kitchen blackboard before deciding to have a nibble. 

3. The lock on the supermarket trolley *shudders with disgust* - why anyone would want to contort themselves into a suitable position to be able to lick the metal tab that shoves into the trolley lock is beyond me, but Number Three has a liking for it.

4. Maggi - Maggi is the German version of Worcestershire Sauce but tastes worse in its pure form. For days Number Three has been trying to flip open the lid. Today it worked and he took a big swig of it. He coughed, spluttered and winced and just as I thought he'd learned his lesson, a big grin spread across his face. I have a feeling he's going to develop a taste for it.

I, on the other hand, in the four hours since I woke this morning have only managed to eat half a biscuit (Number One bit into it, didn't like and handed it to me). I've passed the toast or cereal time of the morning and am about to tuck into the emergency Mars bar that lives in my handbag. 

Baking German Christmas Cookies

Like it or not, Christmas is fast approaching and it is time to start planning what to bake. To help you out with this I have gathered up my Christmas cookie (Plaetzchen) posts and reposted them here for you to drool over browse through.

As German as this sounds, planning really is the key. 

Chessboard Cookies and Black & White Spirals 

Austrian Hazelnut Cookies 

Cinnamon Snowmen

Vanilla Crescents

Iced Butter Cookies - great for making with children 

Coconut Macaroons - quick, easy and very handy for using up leftover egg whites from other recipes 

If you have any questions, comment and I'll reply. Happy baking! Fionnuala 

Pitch In, Sign Up And Help Out - How To Volunteer When You Think You Don't Have The Time To

As a parent, I am a firm believer in doing your bit. Before complaining about that state of the school, the lack of activities in the community or how difficult it is to meet other families, I prefer to make a suggestion, volunteer or start an initiative. 

I'm shy and the phrase "we are looking for volunteers" scares me off as much as it does everyone else in the room. However, since having my children, I feel I have to fight that feeling and get involved in things for the greater good. If I want them to grow up in a close-knit community where people are friendly and helpful, where the school is well-equipped and where extra-curricular activities abound, then surely it is only right that I chip in and support that happening.

Some may say it is easy for me because I am at home at the moment; that I have time for these things. But the more I get involved in voluntary community work, the more I realise that it is mostly the busy people who volunteer. The working mums use their weekly day off to man the cake sale stand or accompany the kids on the school tour. The dads who aren't around for the kindergarten drop offs join the parents' council or lug furniture about in preparation for the annual open day. 

When I was one of those working parents, I did my fair share of pitching in. It was because it was so enjoyable and satisfying that, once I became temporary stay at home mother, I chose to do more. 

Knowing that you are helping a child get the attention they need to keep up with the class or that you are raising funds for playground improvements is a great feeling as a parent. Plus there are the benefits of getting to know more people in your community, meeting fellow parents and maybe having an off-the-record word with the teachers. For the sake of an hour here or there, there is a lot to be gained from volunteering your time.

Here's how to get that feeling:

1. Sign up to help at once-off events in your local area, whether it is baking a cake for the cake sale, helping out with the school sports' day or cleaning up after the open day.

2. If you've noticed an issue, whether at the creche, the school, the parish hall or the sports club, speak to whoever is in charge. Ask if there is anything that parents or the community in general can do to help the situation - from painting the walls to raising funds for improvements or extra staff, there is usually something that needs doing and can be done.

3. Get out of the habit of saying "someone should" or "x needs to be done". Be the someone. Do the thing. 

4. Think of how you want your children to be treated, the environment you want them to grow up in and the values you want them to learn. Wouldn't your example as a vounteer support all that?

5. Look at the amount of time you spend watching TV, having coffee, fiddling around with your phone and then ask yourself whether or not you could spare a hour now and again to improve the lives of those around you. 

Do't let being shy stop you. I didn't.

Making A Naughty or Nice Behaviour Chart With Your Child

A few years ago during a trip home to Ireland I spotted some behaviour charts in Marks & Spencer. They covered the six weeks till Christmas and came with cute little elf stickers - smiling elves for the good days, sad elves for the naughty days. I bought one each for Number One and Number Two. They reacted really well to them, behaving really well in the run up to Christmas. 

Since we don't have M&S here in Germany, we have made our own naughty or nice behavious charts the last couple of years. We had a lot of fun planning the design and colours to use and the charts worked just as well as the bought originals.

To make your own chart you will need:

Card in various colours

Glue

Scissors

Ruler

Felt tip pen

Optional extras:

Stickers

Stamps and ink

Washi tape

Cutting board

Scalpel

1. As the basis for your chart you need a rectangular piece of card. We use card approx. 20 x 40 cm. Allow the top third of the card for the picture and the bottom two thirds for the grid of days and weeks.

2. Mark the division of the picture area from the grid area. Last year we used a strip of card and cut a pattern into it. This year we used strips of washi tape.

3. Design your picture, cut out the pieces you needa and glue them into place. Last year I went for an elaborate scene with Santa, Christmas trees, presents, snow and stars wich the boys stuck in place while I instructed them. This year we simplified it and I let the boys design their own pictures.

 4. Draw the grid for the days and weeks. You will need 8 columns (one for each day of the week plus a column on the left for the dates). Depending on how many weeks are left till Christmas, you can decide on how many rows you need. Last year we tracked the boys' behavious over 6 weeks. This year we're doing it over 7 weeks.

5. Write the names of the days in the top row of your grid and the dates of each week in the column on the far left. Now your chart is finished. 

6. At the end of each day mark the square on the grid which corresponds to that day with a smiley sticker, a gold star, an ink stamp or a black mark, depending on the child's behaviour. 

Skills I Have Learnt So Far As A Parent

Being a parent has taught me many things, from the basics of dressing a newborn to deep and meaningful stuff like the depth of a mother's love. But it is the oh so useful skills I have gathered  over the past seven and a bit years that I want to share with you today. 

1. Spot cleaning - I have become a bit of an expert at spot cleaning. Pre-children , before leaving the house, I used to have a quick look in the mirror to make sure I had no lipstick on my teeth. Now it is to check whether there are any dribbles or blobs on my face or clothes. My shoulders seem to be the best place in the house for children to wipe their runny noses on or burps up milk onto. A quick scrub with a facecloth is usually enough to let me pass as clean enough to leave the house.

2. Creating the illusion of being welldressed - I like to be well -dressed but with children, you can't always do it. With a bit of creativity though, you can pass as well dressed for short trips like the school run or the grocery shopping. The trick is covering up. A blazer, a scarf, stud earrings and knee-high boots over cleanish jeans is my go-to combo. It doesn't matter how grubby your top is or whether you have got odd socks on. To the passer by, you look like you've got a grip of things.

3. Recognising the poo face -  and, for that mattter, the wee wee dance. These are two incredibly important things to look out for in your child, especially once they are out of nappies and very especially if you are in the middle of doing the shopping. The staring, concentrated face of a small child who is avoiding eye contact and the jiggly, hoppy kind of movements of a boy who hates to dance send off alarm signals to me. We high tail it to the nearest loo before there are any accidents.

4. Listening and learning - I find that learning a little bit about Star Wars, Lego Ninjago or whatever my children are currently in to makes listening to their endless stories about it a little easier to bear.

5. Accepting - accepting that neither the house nor the car will be clean for another 15 years or so, accepting that children don't understand being quiet, accepting that meals out are rushed, accepting help, ...Accepting things makes life a little easier. Why try to change them? 

The Baby & Toddler Years: The Soundtrack

Sometimes, as I observe my children's behaviour, I find myself wondering what song would accompany the situation if we were in a film. As they have progressed from newborn to baby to toddler, I have seen them milk drunk and high on mama love, randomly squealing and shouting, going crazy with excitement, throwing tantrums over nothing and amusing me with their mimics. 

If toddlerhood was a film, maybe the soundtrack would go a little something like this. 

Scene: The milk-drunk newborn, gazing lovingly at his mother 
Track 1: Elvis Costello - She
"She may be the reason I survive
The why and wherefore I'm alive
The one I'll care for through the rough in many years
Me, I'll take her laughter and her tears
And make them all my souvenirs
For where she goes I've got to be
The meaning of my life is she"

Scene: The Colicky Phase
Track 2: Björk - It's Oh So Quiet
"Shh shh
It's nice and quiet
Shh shh
But soon again
Shh shh
Starts another big riot"


Scene: The teething baby, who will not be calmed
Track 3: Dusty Springfield - I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
"I just don't know what to do with myself,
Don't know quite what to do with myself, ..."

Scene: The dancing, miming, babbling toddler
Track 4: Robbie Williams  - Let Me Entertain You
"So come on
Let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
So come on, let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
Come on come one come on come on"

Scene: The tantrums begin 
Track 5: Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name Of
"F*@k you I won't do what you tell me, f*@k you I won't do what you tell me, f*@k you I won't do what you tell me, f*@k you I won't do what you tell me,...."

 

Did I really just say that?

Sometimes things come out of my mouth addressed to the children and I can hardly believe my own ears. If I overheard someone else utter these sentences, I would probably be appalled and feel quite superior in my parenting style. I'm not even talking about swear words or threats. It is sheer scenario-specific stuff which, heard out of context, sounds quite awful. Here's a selection of my recent utterings.

 - Ah, don't eat out of the bin, love!

 - Did you just do a wee wee on The Flash? (the superhero in Lego form, not the cleaning product)

 - Sit down and eat your pizza (said to my 11 month old. In my defense it was delicious, healthy, homemede from scratch pizza).

 - Playmobil men do not belong in the loo!

 - Stay still so I can pick your nose (again, said to my 11 month old who has a cold and whose nose was blocked).

 - No, there is nothing else till you finish your Nutella (in response to my five year old asking for a banana half-way through the Nutella sandwich he begged for).

 - Toilet roll is not a scarf!
 - No, don't lick your shoes, pet!

In sharing this with you I am assuming that I am not the only parent who finds herself in these surreal situations. I really hope I am not wrong!

6 Reasons We'll Never Tire of Holidaying in Ireland

It goes without saying that visiting my family is the main reason for us to return to Ireland as often as we can. But more and more, we have been treating our trips to Ireland as real holidays. I want the boys to really know the country and how it ticks. So apart from the amazing people, here's what we love so much about the place.

1. The beaches - in Germany we live a day's drive from the beach, so a visit to the beach is a real highlight for the boys. No matter what the weather is like, we take a spin to the beach and walk, potter, build sandcastles, the boys invariably get wet socks and we have tons of fun. 

2. The food - we love our grub and really make time for eating out while we are in Ireland. There are so many fantasic cafes and restaurants now compared to fifteen years ago. Particular favourites of mine are The Brown Hound Bakery in Drogheda and The Kitchen restaurant, also in Drogheda. McCormack's Cafe in Westport is brilliant too for real homemade food. Harvest Home Bakery in Trim is a tiny, cosy, old-fashioned Irish bakery. Have the pear and almond pie or berry and almond pie and a cup of tea. 

3. The meat - Irish beef and lamb are fantastic. The rashers are the best in the world. But the absolute best thing is black pudding. From Clonakilty to Kelly's of Newport, there are dozens of brands. We've tried many, but always come back to Kelly's. It is melt in the mouth crumbly and delicious. 

4. The scenery - usually when I see spectacular scenery I think "Wow, isn't this amazing? It must be brilliant to live here and wake up to this every morning". But Irish scenery has a different effect on me and The Bavarian. As we drive through Connemara, Sligo, Mayo or even the lush, rolling landscape of County Meath, we see the beauty of it all and it makes us sad not to wake to it every morning. 

5. The fishing - OK, so this is maninly a reason The Bavarian has for coming to Ireland again and again, but Ireland has amazing fishing opportunities, be it at sea, on lakes or on rivers. We were lucky enough to see the row boats setting off on Lough Mask on the final day of the World Fly Fishing qualifiers and it was quite impressive, I must admit.

6. The history - Ireland is the land of saints and scholars but also of ancient burial tombs, Viking settlements, Norman invasions, piracy, plantations, the Battle of the Boyne, the Great Famine, and rebellion against Great Britain. You can't go far in Ireland without coming across something of significant historical value. The opportunities to visit battle sites and castles, hear stories, or experience what life was like in times gones by are endless. 

I know I am *slightly* biased in my opinion here, but if you ever get the chance to visit Ireland, do.