October has to be one of my favourite months of the year, I love the sudden change from warm summer nights and bright colours to cold autumn nights, and golden colours. The trees seems to change colour before your eyes, from once bright green to the warm browns, yellows, orange and not forgetting red! The nights become cold and the morning bright and spooky, perfect for Halloween.
One lesson I learnt this year is that extra hours sleep I used to love, I now hate! Being a parent has totally changed what used to be something I looked forward to, the extra long day, extra hour snuggled in bed without feeling guilty and the dark afternoons was a sign of Autumn. But now, I was dreading the 5 am wake up and trying to pursued Finley to stay asleep (IMPOSSIBLE), getting up in the dark knowing full well, everyone else was still wrapped up toasty in bed and the super early breakfast. Even more so, it’s easy to forget it gets dark early now, so any outdoor activities need to be planned so you’re not stuck outside in the dimming light (although that can be fun with a torch for a toddler)! I can’t help but ask myself what am I feeding him and how can he still have so much to give. By 6pm I am ready for bed my self. As most things with Motherhood, I never gave this a second thought for mums and dads, now I understand why they get cranky!
October also brings my birthday … yay! This year I turned 27, I swear my birth certificate is wrong because I barely look a day older than 20, I shouldn’t complain though, save me loads of money on face creams. For the first time in at least 5 years Theo actually had the day off, normally he would travel or play on my birthday so we would get to see each other but this year was different and all I really wanted was a family day out.
Theo booked us a gorgeous room at The Dorchester Hotel on Park lane, it was stunning (and lots of space for Finley) and he spoilt me with gifts but one of the best things he got me (clearly I am not a lady who diets) was a unicorn cake form Crumbs and Dollies, I know it’s such a simple cake but boy was it good and looks so yummy!
This week is half term and more importantly Halloween … I love Halloween! As I child we would always dress up no matter what, I wasn’t brought up in a family with lots of spare money so my mum (a truly amazing person) would get creative and find ways to make us scary with everyday bits and bobs. We had capes made out of bin liners and ‘mummies’ made out of old sheets, bat wings made out of old umbrellas. I have made a Halloween Pintrest so check it out if your looking for costume ideas or activities to play with the little ones!
Pumpkin carving is one of the signature activities of Halloween but can be difficult with a little one so try decorating a pumpkin instead of carving, its safe and the whole family can get involved. Whether you chose to paint, stick things on or team it all with a little bit of carving, this is a fun way to challenge those little minds (and the big ones too).
To encourage you kids you can have a mini competition or find a local place to display your monsters on 31st! Farms and zoo offer lots of Halloween treats for the kids alongside the usual activities.
The additional thing about carving/decorating pumpkins, is you can then use the left overs to make some seasonal treats, be it soup, risotto or a tasty dessert. We are going to make this Pumpkin cheesecake … clearly I have a sweet tooth (not for Finley I am afraid)!
Instead I am going to make him some pumpkin and chocolate chip cookies instead, here’s a great recipe if you want to give them a try amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2014/10/27/the-ultimate-healthy-soft-chewy-pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies/.
Or you could make some biscuits www.myrecipes.com/recipe/spiced-pumpkin-biscuits. I will let you know how mine turn out and what Finley thinks of them!
I would love to see some of your home made outfits for your children and any other great games you might play, the spookier the better! Please get in touch by either leaving a comment or tweet me @melaniewalcott
