The Herniman House

Mrs H xxx

When it comes to reading books to my babies I’ve been seriously slacking in recent months. 

It’s really hard to keep reading bedtimes stories when you’re physically juggling one of them, when they have different bedtimes and, frankly, when you’re so tired you’re just desperate for them to go to sleep. 

It saddens me that I rarely read B a book before bed, and that when I do read to G it’s often just one book and one we’ve read so many times before. 

We need a refresh and a decent burst of inspiration, and I’m willing to bet we’re not the only ones!

Here are few (bloody good!) blog posts full of new book ideas and ways to get you (and the kids) excited to read together again.

We’ve hit a bit of a stalemate when it comes to what books we’re reading. This list of feminist books to read to your toddler, from Hi Baby, is perfect. All of these titles are going on the boys’ Christmas lists. 

This absolutely darling idea of creating a seasonal shelf  is a great idea for a daily visual prompt that doesn’t rely on bedtimes for stories. Just choose from the shelf through the day and tie in with craft activities or seasonal walks. Hello Beautiful Bear has the best ideas!

In my experience kids love all things poop related! We have one book from this series (the world book day special) but haven’t got round to reading the rest. I know G would find all of these Dinosaur Who Pooped books hilarious. I think it’s safe to say Kerry Louise Norris and Eva did too! 

G has recently started at a Welsh medium school, so Cardiff Mummy Says sharing this list of 20 Welsh language books is really useful for both of us. I need all the practise I can get!

Mrs H xxx

The first week of school went like an absolute dream. 

G flew in without a glance back. I was left fighting back the tears but he loved it.

But by week two it all changed. The realisation that this was a weekly event and the fear of missing out on what was happening at home (a nap, a Tesco shop and a bit of blogging…woop woop!!) 

So “incentives” were brought in. Aka I started bribery. All the bribery. Time on my phone, sweets (at the school gate…mother of the year award coming my way!) and the chance to choose a “special treat” for the first day he wasn’t in school. There were lots of options, days out, favourite foods etc. 

But I’d recently won a hamper of “film night” stuff from Three Network at Blog On. It contained a blanket, phone projector, popcorn maker, popcorn boxes and loads of other stuff to make the perfect film night. And that was G’s choice. And to watch the Grinch. 

We put B to bed as soon as possible so that G got to have time by himself. He loved it, and so did we, because we got to spend some quality one on one time with him. I didn’t realise just how little quality solo time we’ve had with him lately. 

Now when we mention choosing an activity for the week, having a “night film”, as G calls it, is top of his list.

And I’m definitely not complaining!

How do you make one on one time for your kids?

Mrs H xxx

A bit odd right? But it’s true. 

Parties always happen in kitchens. The kitchen is the heart of the home. Just two cliches that I LONG for. 

I cook less than I ever have. Relying on simple dishes for the kids and lots of convenience foods. But I always wanted to be that woman, in that kitchen, whipping up huge family sized portions of delicious food, and storing the leftovers in the freezer for lazy days. 

I still love cooking. I just don’t love doing it in my kitchen. 

It is the smallest kitchen I have ever seen. And though we really like where we live, I’d move in a heartbeat if only because of the kitchen. 

G loves to help cook, but I rarely let him, purely because of how little space there is. Wherever he is it’s far too close to the oven and hob, and I’m constantly worried that one wrong move will end up in a trip to a&e. 

There’s no way two people can cook together, which is a real shame because myself and Mr H can make a really good team. But even just flicking the kettle on whilst the other stirs the saucepan leaves us trapped and jostling for space. 
Just a handful of dirty plates and cutlery, waiting to go in the already full dishwasher, takes over the whole side. It is a constant battle to keep on top of the mess. 

A battle that I lose daily and it really can get me down. 

Of course I dream of huge elaborate kitchens, with a central island and space for ALL the appliances. But honestly, I’d just be happy to have a bit more space, just so the kids can get involved, we can bake together (without my patience being tested to the limits purely because he is 5 inches away from the oven!) and I can rediscover my love for cooking again. 

I get that cooking daily for family is not always going to be enjoyable, wherever I’m cooking, but I wish I could dread it just a little bit less. 

What room in your house would you change if you could?

Mrs H xxx

Note: just in case it wasn’t obvious, none of these photos are of my kitchen! I wish!! Thanks UnSplash ;)