July 24th 2015 - Bath time

July 24th 2015 - Bath time

Today is Bath time  for Starla my kitten.   I didn't want to bath her but had no choice as she has fleas and as only 7weeks old isn't big enough for flea collars or sprays.

She absolutely hated it!  i'mnot sure who was most traumatised me or her - me for all the scratches I have received on both arms, my shoulders and chest or her for getting wet!  Once I got her out I had her wrapped in a towel and placed a hand warmer under it to warm her back up, she seemed to like that.

At least she has forgiven me - she has laid on my chest and snuggled and nuzzled me and given kisses before going to sleep.

This is funny and pretty much the look I got from her. 

July 23rd 2015 - Lolly stick photo frames

July 23rd 2015 - Lolly stick photo frames

As part of the Badger Day camp we will be taking a photo of them near the "campsite", it will then be printed and laminated ready for use later in the day.  That is when we will be making Lolly stick photo frames to fix the picture to.  This has the image that gave me the idea.

They are very simple to make, but I have had to do some of the early work by sticking them together as PVA kids glue isn't strong enough and I have had to use all purpose glue to do them. 

You need:
8 natural lolly sticks for each frame
wood or all purpose glue (uhu)
4 clothes pegs
pens to write on the sticks
brown crayons to make look like wood
string to hang (optional)

1. Take the 8 lolly sticks, the glue and the pegs

2. Glue the first 4 together as shown and hold together with the pegs, you may need to squeeze them between fingers as well.  allow to dry (about 10mins) the move on to next step.

3. take 2 more sticks and glue in place, hold together with the pegs, squeeze if needed and allow to dry.   If you have more than 4 pegs you can continue if not you need wait until dry.  once dry remove all 4 pegs as they are needed for the last part.

4. Take the final 2 sticks and glue both ends off them and fix in place on the existing "frame" and hold in place with pegs.  you now have your square "frame".

it doesn't matter if its not quite square as its meant to be like twigs.

 Once its all dry you can decorate how you wish and add the photo to the back (stapler) and string to hang up.

July 22nd 2015 - Wellington Farm

July 22nd 2015 - Wellington Farm

Today was the last day my friend was going to be here and still the weather was bad so no beach again!  This meant we had to find something to do, preferably cheap or free. 

A friend had said about a local farm she had been to a few weeks ago not far from where we live, it's free to go round the animals etc and it served food and ice cream etc (you had pay for these).  I googled Wellington Farm in Cockermouth and found the location. It looked good and as free we decided this is what we would do as it was also the right way for my friend to get back on the road to go home to Scotland.

Although it was there it wasn't as big as the net seemed to hint it was.  The boys all enjoyed looking at the animals, they wern't keen on the geese that were making A LOT  of noise by the fence, and in fairness they did sound and look nasty!  They liked playing in the small play area on the bikes and tractors.  They couldn't go on the go-karts as we didn't have any cash on us as it was free place.  We did buy ice-cream in the shop which was lovely.  After wandering round the animals we went into the trail through the woods which was really good.

July 21st 2015 - Planet Play

July 21st 2015 - Planet Play

The weather still isn't great and my friend and her kids are still here, so we needed to do something to amuse them.  So we went to Planet Play, 1of the local soft/indoor play areas.

All kids love going to soft play and being able to run about etc.  My 3 sons and my friends 2 sons are no exception to this.  They loved being able to go off on their own and play in safety, they knew where we were sat and came back when they wanted drinks etc.

Pics showing my 3 boys playing in various parts.  There is a great pic of 4/5 of mine/mates kids all sat behind the netting and they look like caged monkeys!  I won't put on here as not just my kids, but it is good.

Planet Play is really big and has a lot for them to do.  There are a few slides, loads of climbing bits, a ball pit, a sports area with football goal and basketball net.  The play area is over a few different heights that the kids have to climb to reach.  The prices are good as well - £4.95 per child for 2hrs of play.  They serve food and sweet snacks and drinks, although we didn't eat there the food looked nice and wasn't really expensive.

We had a lovely time except for 2 10/11yr old boys who thought they would push the 3yr old over (because he threw a play ball and it hit them), spit in the face of one of the 5yr olds because he stood up for his 3yr old brother and then start on the other 5yr old because he asked to have a go on the giant bouncy balls they were on.  They wern't so big and brave when they met the 10 and 12yr old brothers and an angry mother!  Sadly we wern't able to speak to their mother as they didn't leave the play area.  However, when we left my son was reading "the rules of play" on the wall and 1 said about "no bullying" to which my son said shame that happens, loud enough for the manager to hear and asked what he was on about - so we explained and he said he would go and speak to them.

July 20th 2015 - Whinlatter Forest

July 20th 2015 - Whinlatter Forest

We have some friends coming to stay for a few days, and as the weather doesn't look too great we decided that we would meet at Whinlatter Forest.  This was only 15mins from the roundabout where my friend would need to turn to come to my house anyway.  It also meant that the kids could run around and make noise for a few hours.

We took our own picnic and sat in the car to eat it.  We then headed off to the slides and and water play and everything else.  The 5 boys all had a great couple of hours, all got wet and muddy and played really nicely together.

July 19th 2015 - Cleaning

July 19th 2015 - Cleaning

One job I absolutely hate doing but it has to be done.  Addmittidly not as much as it should (washing and washing up yes, general tidy no!)

However, I have a friend coming to stay tomorrow for a few days so the house has had its "spring clean".  We have done top to bottom and every room (except my bedroom as no-one will be going in it).  I made a list of jobs that needed doing in each room and asigned some of them to the kids to do.  Most of the list has been completed but there are still some that need doing later, like cleaning bathroom but no point doing that until after baths and the toilet mat still needs to be washed after the clothes finish.

Today's pin is a quote that seems to fit really well with the cleaning -

I *think* I may try and keep todays cleaning list and get everyone to help on a saturday or sunday before they get computers etc.

July 18th 2015 - Cat behaviour

July 18th 2015 - Cat behaviour

I have spent quite a lot of time today searching the net looking for answers on my kittens behaviour. I have had many cats during my life and most from small kittens, but my newest kitten Starla is something else. I have never known any of my cats/kittens do what she does.  I will explain what she does and what my friend google (various sites visited) say it means.  I've certainly learnt things from the net today. 

Starla is not quite 7weeks old, she is eating food and litter trained but mummy cat had had enough of her 5 kittens and wasn't looking after them anymore, so I housed her 2 weeks earlier than planned.  She is mainly a grey tabby but does have some ginger and white patches, including white socs.  She is so loving and sweet.  Meet starla:

Firstly i'm sure she thinks she is a parrot - she loves being up on my shoulder, whether sat looking around or asleep.  This apparently is the behaviour of shoulder cats, when they start doing it as a kitten they will continue when an adult cat (i'm not sure I want a fully grown cat as a scarf!).  It is linked to them wanting to be close, to see eye to eye and because they can feel the pulse in your neck which reminds them of the closeness of their mother.

She keeps putting her paw gently to my face when she is sat snuggling, usually when I am stroking her face/chin - I have NEVER had a kitten/cat do this to me and had no idea what it meant.  Well apparently it is a sign of trust, affection and love and that they want attention from you.

Putting her "booty" in my face -  this is the way that cats say hello to each other and she wants me to "sniff it" (I DON'T think so).  It can also be linked to them seeing you as a "mother figure" and may indicate that they want it cleaned (ewwwww YUK!)  They only do this to those that they have given their full trust to.

She likes to sleep against my head or face - This is linked to small/young animals not being able to regulate their body temperature properly and wanting warmth and a closeness that they would get from their mother.

She sleeps on her back with belly up and paws all over like a star fish - this behaviour surprised me as I always thought cats only went on their back to attack as they had their claws upwards, but again it comes down to trusting you and feeling safe not threatened to expose their belly.

Head butting me gently and rubbing cheeks - She loves to put her head to mine and look into my eyes (her eyes are so trusting), this is because of the scent glands in the head - cats and kittens only do this with those they trust in their circle and when they do it to human is an indication that I belong to her and her me, and she sees me as a big cat!  This is the same for rubbing cheeks.

She licks my ears (most annoying!) - Apparently this is linked to her being so young and taken from her mum, it can be linked to wanting to feed or just a sign of affection.

Mewing before and after going to the litter try - this is really comical - she mews before she climbs in it and then after she has been.  This is linked to her calling her mummy cat.  She doesn't need help to go, she has done both wees and poos.  I spoke to the lady I got her from and she did it there as well.


There are many other bits she does but nothing I had to search - she comes running to me if  she wants peace and has had enough of playing etc.  Its as though i'm her safety blanket.  She mews at me when she sees me (not at anyone else in the house), and she loves to lay either on my chest or as close to me as she can get.  Her tail is always pointed up when she sees me.  Kitten kisses are given whenever she comes to me.