Mama Mia Pasta Meatballs

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all you British Mum's out there - I'm afraid us Mum's over here have to wait until May. I tried to get my family to do Mother's Day today and May but they weren't having any of it. oh Well, worth a try.

Today started off dull. We had storms forecast for later and warmer temperatures but we haven't seen anything yet. We are hoping the storms won't come in the night and interrupt everyone's sleep.

The boys played on the computer first thing. Huffle was trying to send E-Cards to our Mum's (which he would like to point out was far more complicated than buying a card, writing it and posting it!). I sat in the three-seasons room and read my book, watched the wildlife and got eaten by Mosquitos!

Alvin came out for breakfast. Wilberforce came to feed. Robin sat in the tree. It was lovely and peaceful sitting in there by myself. I took lots of close up photos but they are on our proper camera and I need to download them.

We skyped Grandma and had a chat with her, Grandad and Uncle Grump. Then Small and I played Monopoly Deal. The score being 3 to me and 1 to him, at which point he gave up - he's a bad loser! Smallest and Huffle played Dino Trumps and Downfall.

See how happy Small looks? He's winning this one!

Smallest decided to cheat and handed the rubbish cards to Huffle and kept the good ones for himself.

We decided to make pasta today from scratch. Not being sure about the diffent flours here we gambled with some Durum Semolina (we were told it was the best flour here for pasta). Huffle made the meatballs whilst I made veggie balls. Then we made the pasta dough and we all had a go at rolling it through the pasta machine. We made Tagliatelle. Whilst we were rolling it I stubbed my toe on the corner of the wall (a sharp bit that pokes out) and had to sit for a while with frozen peas on my foot. It really hurt and I have a great big blood blister on the end of it now!

The Pasta was amazing. So light and delicious. Even the boys loved it. I have to say that it was the best pasta we have EVER made. Off to buy some more Durum Semolina tomorrow.

After dinner we all went into the garden. The sun was out and it was beautiful. Small and Huffle undid some packages we hadn't unpacked yet. We placed garden ornaments around and about. Bird feeders were filled and put on their hangers. Wall pots have been secured. Garden pots placed awaiting new plants. Even Small (who has always been 'allergic' to garden centres, asked if we could go to one soon so we could plant things. (mainly for him to hide behind).

Oooh what could it be?

Ahhh some feeder holders and a plant support.

Smallest has finally got the hang of swinging himself. We still have to push him though!

It got warm and sticky this afternoon and we all sat in our deck chairs and watched Smallest do a scooter show. We had to score home out of ten. He did little tricks for us. Very entertaining. We wonder if he will become an entertainer of some sort. Drumming yesterday, scouting demonstration today. Who knows what we will get tomorrow?

Probably can't see but the pots are on the barn, and some ornaments have been placed near the water pump.

The Entertainer

We set up the 'cinema' and watched the rest of Star Wars II (the one we tried to watch after coming back from hols but all fell asleep watching!). We nicknamed Smallest, Grumpy One Kanobe. He is very tired from getting back late last night from the Clown Household. Only three more films to get through!

The kids had their bath/shower, a small tea in front of the TV and then off to bed.

Huffle and I sat in the 3-seasons room (need to start calling this something else). We watched the birds feeding on their new feeders. They also had a bath and drink in the bird bath. Wilberforce played in the trees and loads of chickadees and nuthatches were feeding. Just lovely. Tomorrow I am going to mop the floor in the 3-seasons room and then we are moving a sofa in there, then we can really enjoy sitting there.

Huffle watched his beloved Stoke. When they scored the first goal, all three boys got up (two out of bed) and did the Crouch Robot celebration Dance and Rope Pulling! Honestly it's like living in a mad house!!!!!!!!!!!