Pancake Day Recipe-Dairy Free/Normal

Happy Pancake Day.

As previously mentioned in other blogs my husband is now intolerant to milk so its easier to just make one batch of pancake mix in our house. Last year I made two batches exactly the same but just put Alpro Soya milk in place of normal milk for my husband. 

You will need

• 200ml Milk/Soya milk/dairy substitute
• 2 large eggs
• 50g butter/dairy free butter
• 110g of sifted plain flour
• mixing bowl
• wooden spoon to do by hand or food processer/mixer
• filling/topping of choice-I personally prefer lemon and sugar
• Pan for the cooking of the pancakes
• greaseproof paper optional

Method

1. Prepare all your ingredients
2. put your sifted flour into the mixing bowl
3. break in the eggs and whisk with mixer
4. whilst whisking add milk gradually till you get a smooth batter
5. you need to get your pan really hot on the hob then turn it down to a medium heat to cook the pancakes.
6. add 2 tbsp of batter mix to the pan.  Cook pancake till its not runny and don't forget to flip it over.  I cant toss so I flip with a spatula.
7. Take out of pan and put onto plate.  Between each pancake put a layer of greaseproof paper to stop them sticking together and also will keep them warm.
8. Serve with your topping of choice.
   

Happy Pancake Day hope yours all come out well.

Photo from  Pancake Day 2016

Activity of the Week-making kites

Inspired by the crazy wind today I was thinking this weeks activity of the week could be how you can get outside and experience crazy Doris or whatever they are calling her.  Also I am trying to get this a day early from normal as this will make more sense.

What you will need

• card
• sticks
• string
• tape

The photo below I think describes how to go about making a simple kite but I have linked some instructions below to help you.

Useful links
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Kite
http://www.my-best-kite.com/how-to-make-a-kite.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Paper-Kite-for-Kids/

Happy Kite Making Everybody and Enjoy Doris!!

Activity of the Week-scrapbook your half term!

its Friday which means it's the beginning of the end of half term (parents now rejoicing!) but I have a great idea on how to reminisce over what you have done this week or if it's been quiet you could always make one for a special trip or the Christmas hoildays.  I am currently scrap booking my trip to New York that I went on in October.

Scrapbooks are a great idea for displaying photos and all the bits and bobs you may collect such as leaflets, ticket stubs etc.

I normally buy my scrapbooks at Hobbycraft as I feel they are really well priced £10-under depending on the size. You can also buy lots of cool accessories such as stickers, backing paper and other craft things to personalise your book.
http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/papercraft/scrapbooking

Things to include

• Photos
• Ticket stubs, receipts
• Leaflets from places
• Bags from gift shops
• Packaging
• Momentos for example seashells,pebbles, novety coins

I would really love to see any you make with your children. Here's an example of one I made below for my husband to give you some ideas.

Activity of the Week-Junk Modelling

Wow we are into February already and hopefully you are all set for half term as children in Oxfordshire are breaking up today. Hopefully you have read my what to do in Half term blog which I posted earlier this week.

This weeks activity of the week is Junk Modelling.  Junk Modelling is so simple as all you need to do is use items that would normally just go in your recycle bin. Some times all you need is a cardboard box and some toilet rolls and there is hours of fun right there.

Items

• paint/felt tips
• carboard boxes
• empty containers, bottles etc
• sellotape, glue
• toilet roll, kitchen roll
• egg containers

What to make

• role play areas
• spaceships
• cars
• models
• houses for animals

I think this is quite self explaintary but tweet me if you need any inspiration @nannybicester

February Half term Places to go ideas

Hi everybody and welcome to my February half term blog in which I am posting the week before to hopefully give you some food for thought and ideas on what to do with your little ones this holiday.  Sometimes I make my blogs more specific to whats going on in Oxfordshire as that's where I live and work but in this blog I am going to include ideas in different parts of the county including some I have been to before and will sub link any blog review links within.

Monkey World-Dorest-https://nannybicester.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/my-day-out-at-monkey-world-dorest.html

National Space Centre-Leicester

I keep meaning to write a blog about the National Space Centre but it was two years ago and cant remember much info that be useful for this blog but you must go visit and especially if you have any mad space people in your household/look after.

 There is lots of really cool stuff to see and do and make sure you check out the below link to the website.
http://spacecentre.co.uk/whats-on


Edinburgh Castle-https://nannybicester.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/edinburgh-castle-place-to-visit-with.html

Bristol Zoo-Bristol
I love Bristol Zoo and have been a couple of times in the last ten years but not for a while.  We hope to visit with my nephew, brother and sister in law when we go to visit in March and I cant wait.  Really love the gorilla kingdom and from what we have heard our nephew does to so yay!!
http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/

Margam Country Park, Wales-Cache trail
Ive only ever done one Cache trail with Uni friends and that was at Margam Park near Porthcawl, South Wales.  Such a beautiful Park to visit generally and a couple of years later one of my friends got married here in The Orangery.  They do lots of events that you can look at on the website below but I thought I would mention about Cache trails in general within this section.  You download the app for a small fee and select a location trail.  Then it will take you to different spots using GPS and you should find clues/items buried along the way.  It is really fun so would be great to do with older children.
http://www.margamcountrypark.co.uk/




Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Blenheim Palace is a national heritage attraction in Oxfordshire which has gorgeous Palace and grounds. Great for just a walk or visit when they have special events on such as easter where special hunts are planned for children. The pleasure gardens have an awesome maze and large adventure playground so there is lots to do.
http://www.blenheimpalace.com/

Kilmainham Goal, Dublin
This is a old jail in Dublin which has been made into a tourist attraction/museum.  You learn about the history of the jail as you get taken around it.  Warning we went in March and it was freezing so as most of it involves going outside or in unheated areas (its an old jail remember!) so make sure you are well wrapped up if visiting in colder months.

http://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie/

Did you find this blog useful? Does it provide a variety of different areas? 
Enjoy your half term whatever you are doing.

Activity of the week-Sensory Bottles

This week I'm going to tell you how to make some sensory bottles. This is so simple to do at home and your babies/toddlers will love them.

What will you need

• a few clean and empty water bottles (small is better)
• food colouring
• glitter
• coloured craft pom poms
• dried pasta/rice small amount
• beans

What to do

1. fill your bottle with choice of filling
2. fill bottle with water
3. add food colouring
4. put lid on securely
5. Volia your bottle is done