My Old Dutch - Worst Dinner Ever

Had a fabulous day out with the kids and weather was beautiful so I decided we should continue enjoying our day out and go out for dinner. Went by "My Old Dutch" on King's Road, London earlier during the day and saw a sign saying "all pancakes £5 on mondays" and thought it was a fabulous idea. The kids love pancakes ! DH came to join us for what he thought would be a fun dinner out.

I was so wrong. It was the worst dinner I have ever had ! Not because of the restaurant or its food, but because the little ones were both terrible ... They screamed and whined non-stop ! In the end, I had enough of the dirty looks given by the couples next to us and asked for the food to be packed in doggy bag and left.

I have always been so proud of the little ones' table manners. We have been to so many restaurants together and they were always perfect little angels.... until now. Maybe this is the beginning of the end ?

I brought toys to entertain them with. Ordered food for them in advance, in case they were hungry. I remained calm and tried everything to make them happy but nothing work !

As soon, as we got in the car to go home, they both laughed and were happy....

Nevertheless, I do recommend you take your kids to "My Old Dutch" if you haven't been. They have both savoury and sweet pancakes (I love cheese, ham and artichoke on mine). Relatively child-friendly and staff were very friendly and helpful, even though the little ones were being such nightmares.

However, I never figured out how the £5 deal worked, cause when our bill arrived, it definitely wasn't £5 a pancake !

Waldorf V. Montessori

Met up with some mom friends the other day for a chit-chat. The subject of schools came up. They had all done their research and even registered their children. I, on the other hand had not even started. Partially because we are thinking of moving in the near future, but also because it seemed so early (the little ones are now 16 months), but I guess I really should start thinking about it, by the sounds of things.

What I remember from school (in Sweden), was that it was a lot of fun. There was a strong focus on the arts and music. We played games, baked, painted, knitted and went on forest walks, as well as doing lots of singing and creating music. We had no homework until we were 10 ! Some people believe in "real" learning, ie. maths, reading, writing etc. from a very early age but I much prefer the more relaxed approach, especially in kindergarten....

I have been looking at several options but the main approaches that I am seriously considering for my little ones are Montessori and Waldorf, both using child-centred methods of teaching.

This is a very brief summary of what I believe they stand for:

Montessori - systematic learning, using special teaching tools. Children are encourage to be

"real", imagination is not encouraged. Children learn from each other, including older peers. Children learn to respect their peers' learning space ie. they learn to wait for their turn to use specific equipment/toy. Independent learning is encouraged. Toys are not for playing but for learning. Children are encouraged to learn second languages. Phonetics are used to teach children to read. Special tools are used to teach children maths.

Waldorf - Mind and spirit are the keywords behind Waldorf's teaching techniques. Creativity and art is encouraged. Imagination is widely encouraged. Toys remain unfinished, so children can "finish" them themselves. Use of TV and other electronic media is discouraged.

Children learn about social responsibility. Foreign languages and religion

classes are taught. Reading and writing is not taught until after kindergarten.

This is my basic understanding of the two different schools of teaching. Have you got anything to add ? Do you know anyone who's been to either one ? What is your understanding or experience of Montessori/Waldorf ? Leave me a comment, I am very interested in finding out more.

Beers and Tarts

So tonight its football night. Liverpool v Arsenal in the Premiership. An important game which will help determine who wins the premiership title.
Being such an important game, I felt the need to invite the boys round to watch it.

In preparation for the evening I felt the need to arrange for some tarts. My wife would be out with the children which meant we could enjoy them without any interruptions.

All the boys were very excited at the thought of my generous offer and were keen to sample my sweet little tarts. I had surfed the internet as I did not want just any tart, it had to be of a certain class. I tried these lovelies with my brother a few weeks ago as we have the same taste. We had 12 and devoured the lot of them, we even took photos we were that excited. Though it was not so much fun, as we were at our parents and they were none too pleased at the mess we’d left.

So tonight its the Lemon Meringue Tarts with a few beers and some good company to watch the game.

I have included the recipe below:

Ingredients:
FOR THE PASTRY

* 175g plain flour
* 100g cold butter , cut in small pieces
* 1 tbsp icing sugar
* 1 egg yolk

FOR THE FILLING

* 2 level tbsp cornflour
* 100g golden caster sugar
* finely grated zest 2 large lemon
* 125ml fresh lemon juice (from 2-3 lemons)
* juice 1 small orange
* 85g butter , cut into pieces
* 3 egg yolks and a 1 whole egg

FOR THE MERINGUE

* 4 egg whites , room temperature
* 200g golden caster sugar
* 2 level tbsp cornflour

1. For the pastry, put the flour, butter, icing sugar, egg yolk (save the white for the meringue) and 1 tbsp cold water into a food processor. Using the pulse button so the mix is not overworked, process until the mix starts to bind. Tip the pastry onto a lightly floured surface, gather together until smooth, then roll out and line a 23 x 2.5cm loose-bottom fluted flan tin. Trim and neaten the edges. Press pastry into flutes. The pastry is quite rich, so don't worry if it cracks, just press it back together. Prick the base with a fork, line with foil, shiny side down, and chill for 1⁄2-1 hour (or overnight).

2. Put a baking sheet in the oven and heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Bake the pastry case 'blind' (filled with dry beans) for 15 mins, then remove the foil and bake a further 5-8 mins until the pastry is pale golden and cooked. Set aside. (Can be done a day ahead if you want to get ahead.) Lower the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.

3. While the pastry bakes, prepare the filling: mix the cornflour, sugar and lemon zest in a medium saucepan. Strain and stir in the lemon juice gradually. Make orange juice up to 200ml/7fl oz with water and strain into the pan. Cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth. Once the mixture bubbles, remove from the heat and beat in the butter until melted. Beat the egg yolks (save white for meringue) and whole egg together, stir into the pan and return to a medium heat. Keep stirring vigorously for a few minutes, until the mixture thickens and plops from the spoon. (It will bubble, but doesn't curdle.) Take off the heat and set aside while you make the meringue.

4. Put the egg whites in a large bowl. Whisk to soft peaks, then add half the sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking between each addition without overbeating. Whisk in the cornflour, then add the rest of the sugar as before until smooth and thick. Quickly reheat the filling and pour it into the pastry case. Immediately put spoonfuls of meringue around the edge of the filling (if you start in the middle the meringue may sink), then spread so it just touches the pastry (this will anchor it and help stop it sliding). Pile the rest into the centre, spreading so it touches the surface of the hot filling (and starts to cook), then give it all a swirl. Return to the oven for 18-20 mins until the meringue is crisp and slightly coloured. Let the pie sit in the tin for 30 mins, then remove and leave for at least another 1⁄2-1 hr before slicing. Eat the same day.

Enjoy!

Battersea Park Zoo

Spring is finally here and the sun is shining like never before (since last spring) ! Heaps of work to do but don't feel like doing any of it. Just want to go out and enjoy myself with the little ones! This beautiful weather can be gone in no time, so better make the most out of it now.

We live near Battersea park but have

never been to the zoo there so decided we will give it a go today.

It was actually quite nice ! Ok, it was not as good as London Zoo but I think it was a very good first zoo experience for the little ones ! It was just big enough for us to easily get around, without too much hassle and best of all (I think the little ones would agree) they had a great playground there. The playground was more aimed at older children but it was still fun for them to be there and just run around, or in my DS's case play with the wood chips on the ground.

Not sure if it is like this every day but it was pleasantly

quiet when we got there, around mid-morning. It was just lovely being able to have a leisurely walk around, looking at the various animals without too many screaming children around. Although, my DS did throw a couple tantrums .... but thats another story ( I believe some kind of alien may have taken him away a couple of days ago and replaced him with the monster that he now is).

Crazy monkeys, smelly sheep, noisy birds and fat rabbits (a whopping 5.6kg !!!) .... I recommend it. Definitely a nice way to spend a few sunny hours.

Have a look at their website to find out more.

Chase n' Sky - Casually Gorgeous Girls' Clothing

I first came across Chase n' Sky at Bubble London last year. I had already done all the buying for Monsters and Munchkins' first season when I noticed Chase n' Sky's stand. I ended up buying quite a few things. It was too sweet to resist !

Lindsey O'neil-Myers is the designer behind this lovely girl's clothing brand. She launched it just a couple of years ago but is already hugely successful throughout US and many other countries.

Her clothing is casual yet elegant, feminine yet playful. Her palette is often very muted but with a splash of colour. Easy to wear, casual girls clothing at its best.

Check out Monsters and Munchkins to see my selection for this season.

Banana Bread

My little ones used to love bananas but one day they both decided they didn't like them anymore... but I still buy them, just in case they do decide to eat them again.

Apparently children go through phases in their development, when they refuse certain foods but if you keep trying, it is likely they will start eating it again.

Just casually try to give it to them every now and then, don't make a fuss and definitely don't force them to eat it and one day, they may just take it and enjoy it again.

I am still waiting for them to start eating their bananas again but in the meanwhile, I have to figure out what to do with the old ones when they don't. Seems a waste to throw them away (again), so decided to use them for making a fabulous banana cake.

Simple, quick and fabulous recipe found on http://www.nibblous.co.uk

Recipe:

4oz butter or margarine

6oz sugar
8oz self raising flour
2 eggs
2 large or 3 medium, very ripe bananas

Heat the oven to gas mark 4; 180C
Grease a 2lb loaf tin.
Mash the bananas with a sturdy fork.
Cream the butter and sugar together and mix in the eggs
Mix together the two yellow sludges you now have.
Mix in the flour.
Scrape into the loaf tin and bake for 40 minutes then lower teh temperature to gas mark 2; 150C and cook for a further 30 minutes.

If you can resist, let it cool on a rack for a little while before you eat it.

Note. you can add some vanilla, raisins and/or walnuts for extra taste and texture.

Enjoy !

Traveling with twins

My husband and I recently went on a 3-month trip with our then 8 month old babies, traveling across 4 continents. It was an amazing trip AND the little ones loved it too !

Most people that hear that we went on such a trip with 2 babies mostly appear either surprised or shocked but they always wanted to know how we did it and my answer was always: what do you mean how ? It was easy.

Ok, sometimes, I did feel exhausted and wonder why I was doing it too but the truth was, I love traveling and I was not going to stop because I now have children. Why should I ? I truly believe it is great that children travel and get to see the world (although in this case, they probably wont remember a thing..... but I did take about a million pics just to make sure they do!) and I think the more they travel, the easier it will become for them to adjust to different environments and people.

A few pointers on how to make your trip with babies easier:

• If you can, make sure you establish a routine with your baby before you go away, makes controlling feed and nap-times so much easier AND makes getting over potential jet-lag possible, providing that you choose your flight time to fit their routine.
• Stick to their routine as much as possible as you arrive at your destination.
• Please beware that you aren't allowed to travel with more than one infant below six months old! I once planned to do this, managed to get a ticket and everything.... but in the end had to take my father, who took me to the airport, on the trip. Lucky it was only a short one !
• After six months, you must purchase at least one additional seat for one of your twins AND make sure you do bring your own certified car-seat to avoid disappointments. If possible, make sure you get a written confirmation from your airline to say that it is OK to travel with twins (one on your lap), as some ground staff are still reluctant to let you travel with two infants... claiming it isn't safe if anything was to happen during the flight.
• Don't be tempted to bring the whole of your child's toy box on the plane... she/he will find the in-flight magazines and other random stuff more interesting anyway. Just bring your child's favourite toy and maybe bring something new that will capture his/her imagination and attention for a at least a few minutes.
• Bring some hard to eat snacks, like teething biscuits or other chewy snacks as it will keep you child occupied for longer than normal snacks. The last thing that you want is a child that has been over-snacking and potentially becoming hyper-active due to sugar-rush.
• Don't be tempted to rush on the plane to get yourselves ready too early. In fact, try to delay boarding as much as possible ! The shorter time you spend on the plane, the less likely your child will become bored and fed-up.
• Double check restrictions with luggage and buggies at airport. Some airports strictly forbid you to take your stroller to the gate, which makes it quite tough if you have two infants with you PLUS luggage. And other airports, even if they let you take buggy to the gate, wont let you have it back by the plane at arrival. Make sure if this happens, that you request assistance beforehand.
• Online check-in is not always possible if you are traveling with twins, as the configuration of oxygen masks vary from plane to plane. You are pretty much restricted to just a few seats, traveling with 2 babies, as not all rows would have enough extra oxygen masks.
• When it comes to picking seats, see if you can locate yourself next to one or two empty seats so your little ones can get their own seats if they remain empty.
• Do make sure to bring extra clothing for yourself and your baby/babies, just in case an accident happens during the flight.
• If you need to bring baby-food on the plane, check airport security restrictions. You may have to try everything you bring on, which could be quite a lot if you are bringing enough for 2 on long-haul flight.
• A lot of people suggest that you should feed your child before you get on the plane, but I have found that (for me) doing the opposite has worked better, as it gives them something to do and kills a bit of time but make sure you bring your own food if you going to do this. Don't wait for in-flight meals because the little ones may not be able to wait that long. Bring something that is easy to feed (you can buy it at the airport, to save you getting any hassle from security) and does not create too much mess. Of course, only feed them if it is feeding time... otherwise your routine will get all messed up.
• All above points are fairly self-explanatory and "obvious" but the most important thing I think is that you feel OK and reasonably relaxed about traveling. If you don't feel comfortable and OK, your child will pick this up and may be caused to feel unsettled. So have fun and enjoy (as much you can...).

One final note: Airports in Australia don't have porters, this can be a problem if you have to carry two babies, as well as pushing a trolley or two full of luggage.

Oh, and also, if anyone suggests to you that it is easier to travel with babies when they are a bit older, don't believe them ! In my opinion, the younger the easier. I could not imagine going on the same trip we did with our little ones now when they are walking ! The less mobile they are the better..... !

Bon voyage !

Kanelbulle-Traditional Swedish Cinnamon Buns

Was twittering with fellow twitter mom earlier this morning. We were talking about what to have for breakfast and the subject of cinnamon (cinnamon toast to be more precise) came up. So one thing led to another and I promised her to give her my favourite recipe for Swedish Cinnamon Buns or what they call "Kanelbulle" in Sweden.

Why only share it with one mom when I can share it with thousands (maybe one day I will have that many followers to this blog....), right ?!

Here it is:

Ingredients:

- 4 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups butter
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1-2 tsp ground cardamom
- 6 cups all-purpose flour

Filling:
- 4 tbsp butter, softened
- 5 tbsp sugar
- ground cinnamon

Glaze/topping:
- 1 egg, lightly whisked
- pearl sugar

Oven:

220-250 C

Directions:

• Melt butter, add milk. Heat to room temperature.
  
• Stir in yeast. Make sure milk-mixture not too hot,as this could "kill" the yeast.
  
• Add sugar, salt and most of the flour. Work the dough in a large bowl, using a wooden spoon, until it starts to come off the side of the bowl.
• Dust work-surface with flour. Work the dough until it is smooth.
• Put the dough back in the bowl and cover with damp tea-towel.
• Let it rise in warm place for 30mins. Make sure you do not leave it by a window,as cold air could stop it from rising.
• Divide the dough in two halves.
• Let one half rest in the bowl, covered with tea-towel, while you roll out the other half to a 1/2 cm thick rectangle.
• Spread half the butter, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon (This can be added/reduced as per your own taste) on top. Roll it together from the long side.
• Cut the roll into about 25 buns. Put each bun in paper muffin-trays or on baking sheet. Cover with tea-towel.
• Do the same with the other half of the dough and then let it all rise for about 30 mins.
• Brush the buns with lightly beaten eggs. Sprinkle with pearl-sugar. Bake in middle of oven (220-250 C)for about 5-7 mins. Let cool under tea-towel.

Note: These cinnamon buns are great for freezing and can be reheated in oven, as well as in microwave.

Enjoy ! Oh, and if you would like to add a bit more "crunch" and flavour, you could also sprinkle some chopped almond on top before baking.

*To make you feel better about eating these delicious things: Cinnamon helps control your blood sugar, which influences your risk of heart disease !

In fact, USDA researchers found that people with type-2 diabetes who consumed 1 g of cinnamon a day for 6 weeks (about 1/4 teaspoon each day) significantly reduced not only their blood sugar but also their triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol. Credit the spice ' s active ingredients, methylhydroxychalcone polymers, which increase your cells ' ability to metabolize sugar by your coffee up to 20 times.

There you go. Have fun !