Tuesday 19th February

This morning X and A made mummy and daddy smoothies.

First they decided what fruit or vegetable (kale) they wanted to put in it.

Then we discussed how we were going to make the smoothies and how to be safe when using the blender (turned out it was too noisy for either of them so mummy had to do it).

We then discussed how fruit goes ‘off’ and isnt edible at this point (theres always one strawberry like this in our packets when we buy them!).

Then then cut up their fruit using brilliant knife skills.

X learned how to peel an orange and he tried it as well (this is a huge deal for X as he has sensory issues when it comes to food). X would previously not touch or handle fruit. What an achievement!

A used the apple corer on hers.

Ready for the blender.

X was brave and wanted to be in the room when mummy did the blender but that soon changed. The nutri ninja is amazing for blending everything up (it even crushes ice) but it is very noisy!

A’s came out a milky light pink colour. She said it smelt nice and fresh. When she tasted it she said it was lovely. Mummy also liked it, it was very sweet.

X’s came out a much deeper pink/red colour. We discussed why this may have happened and how food can be used as a natural dye especially berries.

The colour difference.

After dinner we decided to use our national trust cards and go to a local national trust property.

We have had a card now for two years. We mainly get one so we can go to open green spaces where dogs have to be on leads as we have two very fearful children after being attacked by a dog two years ago.

Someone else came with us on our trip – flat eric. Some people may recognise him from the levis advert back in the 90s. He was mummys festival mascot. Now X and A seem to have adopted him as a sixth family member and even dressed him in some of F’s baby clothes!

This property has an old laundry room which X and A enjoy.

Even F had a go!

This time there was lots more irons out which X and A found really interesting. Daddy explained how they were used and we discussed what they were made of and why they we so heavy etc.

There was also a storybook trail around the main house but we didnt do that today as with the weather being nice we wanted to be outside.

However we made a stopover in the model train area first.

There was a really nice and friendly man there today who explained that one man alone had built the whole model in his loft, it took him 35 years! He used a torch to light up interesting areas and asked X and A to find a missing cow and squirrel.