What to do with a 2 year old with all this rain?

What to do with a 2 year old when the rain keeps pouring down and there's no sign of any reprieve?  Simple, grab your umbrella, put on a raincoat and gum boots and get out there!

Miss Ava Mae is completely obsessed with Peppa Pig. And anyone familiar with Peppa Pig will know that Peppa's favourite pastime is jumping in muddy puddles. So when the rain hit this weekend we decided if you can't beat them, join them!!

Little kids truly live in the present, something we should all try to do every now and then. The pure joy on Ava's face as she splashed muddy water everywhere, including all over me, was priceless.  I have to admit, I really enjoyed jumping up and down in the filthy water. After last week's heat, the rain and cooler weather was quite refreshing.

And in saying that, we are lucky that the rain here is enough to be annoying but has not caused havoc like it has in far Norther NSW and Queensland. My heart goes out to the many people affected and we will be doing our bit by donating to the Red Cross Flood appeal.

What do you do to keep the kids entertained when the weather turns to crap? 

Gluten free chocolate slice

I have been on another experimental baking frenzy! It's had it's highs and lows - the lowest point saw Burnsie and I spending our Saturday night scrubbing the oven out with toxic oven cleaner. Yes I know, oven cleaner is about as toxic as it gets. However, after an Australia Day experiment went horribly wrong, baking soda and lemon juice just wouldn't cut it so out came the chemical warfare. But that's a post for another day...

My goal is to find some really simple healthy snacks and a few sweet treats to add to my rather limited repertoire. Ava Mae has become quite fussy over the last few months, turning her nose up at most meals and home made goods. So anything she likes that is not loaded with processed nasties (yes I'm talking about you Tiny Teddies and Caramello Koala) that I can make from scratch is a bonus!

I have been craving chocolate all throughout the long weekend. So tonight's experiment is my gluten free take on an old childhood favourite, Chocolate Slice. In addition to replacing the flour with Gluten Free SR Flour, I halved the sugar and added a dash of vanilla.

I have decorated half with sprinkles as I know Ava will love them, actually so will Burnsie. The other half is sprinkled with coconut. According to Ava, coconut has suddenly become "VERY YUCKY". Note this is always shouted to ensure the neighbours know too.

Ingredients

• 220g melted butter or dairy free spread
• 2 cups GF self-raising flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups desiccated coconut
• 1/2 cup cocoa, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Icing

• 2 tbsp cocoa
• 1 cup pure (GF) icing sugar
• 1 tbsp soy or almond milk
• 1 tbsp melted butter or dairy free spread
• 1 tbsp desiccated coconut or sprinkles to decorate

Method

• Preheat oven to 170°C. 
• Line a slice tray with baking paper.
• Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
• Add melted butter and stir well.
• Press mixture firmly into a slice tray.
• Bake for 20 minutes.

Icing

• Sift icing sugar and cocoa into a bowl.
• Stir in melted butter and soy milk.
• Spread over the slice while it's still warm.
• Sprinkle coconut or coloured sprinkles over the top. 
• Leave out to cool and cut into 5cm by 5cm squares.

This turned out really yummy, but is quite full on. Not something I want to have in the house too often. Please share, what's your go to sweet treat? 

Just made a GF version of this passion fruit slice

Source: food.com via Naomi on Pinterest

Just made this delicious GF Passion Fruit Slice!! I modified the recipe a little as the original is way too sweet.

GF base  

1 cup GF self-raising flour (I use Orgran)
1 cup desiccated coconut
1/2 cup caster sugar

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
125g melted butter or nutilex

Topping
1 (395g) can condensed milk
1 or 2 large passion fruits

1 teaspoon lemon zest
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C or 160°C if using a fan-forced oven. Line a 22cm square pan or a slice tin with baking paper.
2. Combine all ingredients for the slice base and press into the prepared pan.
3. Bake 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. The base is still soft while hot, but will harden as it cools. The base will be light in colour.
4. Using a bowl, combine the can of condensed milk, passion fruit pulp, lemon juice and zest.
5. Spread the passion fruit mixture over the slice base and return to the oven for about 12 minutes, or until the topping is just firm to the touch.
6. Remove from oven, allow to cool 15 minutes and then chill in the fridge about 30 minutes until set.
7. Cut into squares to serve.

Note: If you're hubby keeps coming in to see if they are ready yet, save the bowl or a little condensed milk to keep his sweet tooth at bay. Or alternatively just ignore him while you Pin more recipes. 

Missing my early morning wake up call

Ava is having her first ever sleep over! She is staying with our dear friend Franki who is Mum to Ava's adorable BFF Maxwell.

As you can see from the photo Maxwell's mum sent me, Ava is having a terrible time. Good luck getting those two monkeys to sleep Franki, was my reply! I reckon there was alot of giggling and very little sleeping for some time!!

And thankfully no sign of the usual dinner time tanty here! In fact, I doubt she will want to return to us at all, she looks like she is having far too much fun.

It's funny how kids are so well behaved outside their home and routine. Ava is a good girl, but dinner time is often fraught with vegetable stand offs, I spy something green and debates on whether dessert will be forthcoming or not!!

Being Ava's first night away from hone without us I knew i was going to miss my baby tremendously. But like most firsts, it was a far bigger deal for Brett and I than it was for Ava!

I had all the usual worries! Will she sleep ok, what if she cries in the night, how will Franki cope if she wants to play at 5am???

Despite the worries I was really looking forward to a nice sleep in this morning. Ha, but here I am wide awake since 6am. I'm so used to hearing my darling foghorn screeching out "Mummy, Mummy it's morning time. Get up Mummy."

I miss the sound of her little feet jumping out of bed and running down the hall to us.

I miss her little face appearing at my bedside, sweetly telling me its morning time and I really need to play. That sweet voice getting louder and more urgent, Mummy GET UP!!

My pathetic attempt at begging for just 10 more minutes, please!!!! Come on Ava, Mummy needs more sleep...

Whilst sleep is the panacea for most parents, it's amazing how it eludes you at times like this. Seriously, when there's opportunity to sleep in like a student and even have a relaxing, hot coffee in bed!!! What is wrong with this picture?

I guess as much as I love sleep, I love and miss my little girl more. Does this happen to other parents or just me???

Nudie in the garden

42c here yesterday, so what better way to cool off than watering the garden.