Our attempt at being MF!!

Alchemilla

Great news that your piano has arrived.

greent

CathT wrote: »

dd is playing away on the piano right now. She was thrilled as it was a surprise and I have never had so many hugs!

Aww - how lovely!
x

CathT

sarahevie1 wrote: »

I sympathise with kids activities. Mine do five a week, cheap and local but adds up. I very rarely take them to anything else though as eldest is too old for soft play etc.

I agree that the opportunities they provide are valuable.

I didn't have a party for dd2 (5) this year as 16 from her class have juky/ Aug birthdays and she had already been invited to 7 parties over the summer hols. Was sad for her, but arranged a special play date and I was more bothered about her not having a party than she was.

What kind of things do they do? I have enrolled DS for tennis lessons now in same group as dd as they have changed it to mixed ability and it means we won't be spending all evening there! Their swimming lessons follow on from each other too.

Dd is the same with invitations, I am struggling to keep up with them all! They all seem to be at the end of August. I have even offered a weekend away instead of a party but she's not budging. She wants it at the house as she said we won't need to spend any money! Her heart is so in the right place. So now I need to think of a party with minimal stress amd expense, having at home would be my worst nightmare!

Alchemilla wrote: »

Great news that your piano has arrived.

Glad it's finally here, took a while to arrange delivery but piano guys made it look easy!

greent wrote: »

Aww - how lovely!
x

I am apparently 'the best mummy in the world'

CathT

Fairly productive day. Children had dentist and have excellent teeth and were really comfortable with going which is so important. Dd said it tickled when her teeth were checked, got to be a good sign!

Enrolled DS for tennis lessons amd discovered a sibling qualifies for 50% reduction which is great. I have the number of a piano teacher I will ring soon. Dd has been looking at YouTube videos, I watched one and think I have taught myself to play 'scale of C'!

£10 spent on tennis balls and took the children to local courts to play. There were some children around age 11 climbing where they shouldn't be. I wasn't particularly naughty as a child but no angel and said to DH when I came home that if an adult turned up when we were a bit naughty we would stop or run off! Children don't seem phased by the presence of adults though do they?

shangaijimmy

Unfortunately kids are having a decreasing respect for teachers which has a knock on effect.

mortgage_girl

Wow Cath, you have been busy! Well done on your run, I can't even imagine running for that amount of time. :T With regards to reducing your food bill, have you ever considered using a breadmaker - the flour is about £1.00 for 1.5kg and that makes about 4 loaves (plus £1.00 for a tub of yeast, a bit of water, salt, sugar and a 2 tbsp of olive oil). Just bung it all in and let the machine get on with it. It does take a bit of prep time/organisation to make sure you don't run out but it may be worth considering? Also, could you get some cut and come again lettuce seeds (again about £1.00)? Plant a few tubs and give them a quick water each day and you'll have a plentiful supply of salad leaves (much tastier than the salad bags you get too). If you haven't already, then check out Jack Monroe's blog for some cheap but tasty recipe ideas. The carrot, kindey bean and cumin burgers are delicious and perfect for freezing too.

Have a good evening,

MGx

CathT

Thanks MG, I'd don't think I ever would either! I only stopped as DH needed to go out amd I had already made him late. Did a quick 5k today which I really enjoyed.

Thanks for the food tips too.I grow lettuce and rocket which saves us a lot as I used to end up throwing leftovers away. I love being able to go into the garden to grab a handful of leaves to go with dinner. Homemade bread sonds like a good Idea too. Spent another £8.47 today as needed potatoes and also wanted to get the c0-0p frozen offer. I want to make the risotto Slowlyfading has linked so went for peas and forgot arborio rice. I can't face another supermarket trip so that will have to wait.

Did a yougov survey earlier so made 50p have, totally lost my mojo for decluttering the house though! it's got to be floating around the diaries somewhere so am hoping a catch up will revive it.

Food - £77.37
Petrol -

mortgage_girl

CathT wrote: »

totally lost my mojo for decluttering the house though! it's got to be floating around the diaries somewhere so am hoping a catch up will revive it.

I think I've found it. I've decluttered loads in the past week. Will return it in due course.

Just had a brainwave which may help you save a few more pennies on the food bill. I grow 'tree cabbage' (think cabbage on a stick - you just pick the leaves as you need them). My plants have been in the garden for 4 years and they're still growing. If you eat cabbage they're well worth it and grow virtually all year round. I let one of the plants go to seed last year and have loads left so if you'd like me to send you some then just shout.

MGx

CathT

shangaijimmy wrote: »

Unfortunately kids are having a decreasing respect for teachers which has a knock on effect.

Worrying isn't it.

mortgage_girl wrote: »

I think I've found it. I've decluttered loads in the past week. Will return it in due course.

Just had a brainwave which may help you save a few more pennies on the food bill. I grow 'tree cabbage' (think cabbage on a stick - you just pick the leaves as you need them). My plants have been in the garden for 4 years and they're still growing. If you eat cabbage they're well worth it and grow virtually all year round. I let one of the plants go to seed last year and have loads left so if you'd like me to send you some then just shout.

MGx

Thanks MG. We do all eat cabbage, it's one of the few veg that DH will eat actually. If they don't take up too much room I would love to give them a go. Thanks so much!

It's pouring with rain here so this afternoons plans of a bike ride will need to change. I debated taking the children to soft play yesterday to burn some energy off but we opted for strawberry picking and a trip to the park instead.

TCB money credited so replaced the money I shuffled last week and sent £80 to the cc. Since we don't have an awful left to throw at it I am hoping reducing spends will reduce the outstanding balance. Will be sending £500 to it on payday to cover food/petrol so need to save in this area. I have used half my usual petrol this week with not working and will do the same next week - a step in the right direction.

Going to have a quick tidy up whilst watching the rest of HUTH then do some baking with the children. Have a haul of raspberries from yesterday which are crying out to go with the white chocolate in the cupboard o be made into muffins. I was going to make an amazing cheescake but can't justify buying cream cheese and double cream when we have other ingredients here. It is a bit too calorific too but ever so yummy.

Alchemilla

It might be worth checking out "gigajam" for free piano learning. We have that at work.