My little chefling turns six : The Little Mermaid.

I clearly remember the day when my little chefling decided to come into our lives. Two weeks early. I called up DH in the middle of the night warning I would disown him if he didn't make it in time for the birth of our little monkey (He was travelling that night).

That day and last Saturday, 31st of January 2015.  Six beautiful years.

• From being a part of my right arm where you spent hours sleeping to moving into your own bed
• From not even being able to keep your head straight to becoming this young confident girl standing on the stage to recite a poem
• From teaching you ABCs to you teaching me alif, be, te
• From slipping your little fingers into mine to be able to walk to mastering the violin strings
• From me picking up the hundreds of toys strewn all over your room to you asking me to sit down while you set the dinner table
• From me feeding you apple puree to you making me a sandwich 
• From me planning your birthday parties to you announcing the theme for your next
• From pinafores and baby rompers to princess gowns and jeans
• From pink soft booties to silver ballerinas
• From soft baby hair pony tails complete with ribbon to long glossy untamed hair you wanting to always leave open
• From not leaving my hand for even a second to running away without looking back when seeing friends
• From mamma surprising you with lunch box notes to you leaving me a card for all of my special days
• From me tying your shoe laces to you asking me to change my heels for the other ones looked prettier
• From scribbling on papers to painting a canvas for our room
• From me asking you what you did at school to you coming back and inquiring how was my day
• From ten page board books to eighty pages stories
• From having tea parties with dolls to hosting your own real ones 
• From being a pint size to now reaching my waist and very proudly so
• From being my little baby to being my partner in crime
• From Dora and Barney to princesses and mermaids

To happy and tearful memories of the past, to precious moments of today and to all the unseens of tomorrow.

Happy Happy Birthday to you. My little chefling. You'll always be my little girl.

Always be your funny, mad, curious self. Always leave some room in your heart for the unimaginable. Always believe in mermaids and secrets that come in a bottle.

The girl has moved from pink to blue. From butterflies fluttering in the sky to mermaids swimming in the sea. 

It had to be a mermaid party. 

I was happy to oblige. Enough pink for the last five years. Bring on the blue.

Like each year we kept it small. She was surrounded by the the friends she loves, in the company of her family and we hosted it at home.

Whats a mermaid party without treasure bottles with secret messages inside.

So the invitations were mermaid treasure bottles. With tricoloured sand, a scroll carrying the invitation, a tiny blue star for every mermaid needs some sparkle and a name tag with a ribbon to complete it.

Tons of blue balloons and paper flowers that I handcrafted were decor. 

I also put together this shadow box with one of my favourite quotes that I just mentioned above. A bottle similar to the invitation, some shells and loads of sparkly white and blue stars. A shadow box is such a great and versatile medium to personalize any wall and makes for a pretty centerpiece too, Isn't it?

We welcomed the tiny mermaids and the pirates with this rubber tube on our front door or the "mermaid wreath" as Sara likes to call it.

Once everyone settled down a bit the mermaids and the pirates played three games. 

The first one was a take on pin the tail. Pin the fin. The little guests were blindfolded and were handed a fin each and then asked to pin the fin. I did cheat a little to ensure that each one did it correctly and won themselves a sea creature note pad. Can't have disappointed upset faces on such a happy day, can we? We can keep fairness aside for today :)

For this I used a free printable of a mermaid and added a personal touch to it by adding glitter to her tail, a tiara on her head and a moon for the night sky. A rock made with some white sand and some starfishes completed the picture.

The second game was take on the very popular limbo. We played under the sea limbo. I printed and cut out pictures of several sea organisms and the kids were asked to pick one from the lot. They then had to enact like the sea organism on their chit and go under the sea waves. We played the song "Under the sea" from the movie The Little Mermaid. 

This was such a happy game to play. The children were in giggles seeing their friends become jellyfish, octopus, dolphin and more. 

For this game I saved a brown paper tube the one that comes with giftwrap rolls and covered it with a white crepe streamer. On that were added several white and blue "waves" made from white and blue streamers. I twisted each of the streamers after every two inches so that the final thing looked twirly and wavey. This can take time but trust me it looked really pretty.

The mermaids got mermaid artprints to colour as prizes.

The third and final game was treasure hunt in the sand pit. Since we had the party at home, the sandpit was this container. Each mermaid/pirate had to find one fish eraser, one glitter box and a pair of blue rubber bands ( replaced with little dinosaurs for the boys).

After three games and some free play the kids were hungry. So we brought out the cake and served some kid friendly party nibbles.

Cake is one thing that I never even attempt to make for Sara's Birthday. My cakes can be best described as "rustic" :) not acceptable by little children who want pretty mermaids.

Elna from Cake Witch made this beauty. Multiple shades of blue, ruffles for waves and my little girl sitting there on the top as the little mermaid. Thank you Elna you made our day truly special.

The menu for the party was:

• Star fishes (star fish shaped sandwiches with grated carrot, cucumber and cream cheese filling)
• Conch shells (shell shape pasta with red sauce made with tomatoes, carrots, celery and leeks)
• Mermaid rocks (puff pastry vol au vents with a corn pesto filling)
• Seaweed (green grape mini skewers)
• Oysters with pearls (homemade butter cookies with a light blue frosting and white buttons for pearls)
• Shark's teeth (Mini cheese triangles)
• Seawaves (Store bought  multigrain waves with homemade yoghurt dip)
• Goldfish (well..just because and the kids didn't touch these..don't know whether to be happy or sad :)))
• Mermaid magic potion (orange and mango juice)
• Seawater (water)

We had quite a splash that day and Sara thanked her little guests with these blue beach buckets.

Each bucket carried a little thank you note that read "May you always have a shell in your pocket and sand in your toes".

The last activity of the day was the pinata for which I took a paper lantern and added white and blue crepe steamers (pinched every two inches) to resemble the tentacles of the jelly fish. We filled it up lots of little goodies.

The party could not have been complete without the yearly ritual of asking the guests to write down a little something for Sara for us and her to look at and smile years later. Each year right from her first birthday this is something that I always look forward to.

With that the FIN-tastic evening came to an end and like each year my little girl has already started the countdown for her next one :))

Before I bring this super long post to an end a quote Sebastian from The Little Mermaid is a must.

"You've got your own style, 

now let it shine through 

and remember no matter what, 

you got to be you". 

Birthdays from the past: First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth

Images: If you like any of the pictures on the blog and would like to use those please write to me. I put in hours of work behind each post and would love to share it with you but it would hurt me if  use those without my permission.Just ask! 

Chocolate Fondue and Christmas.

'Tis The Season to Be Jolly and that means my little chefling will have her friends over for an evening of fondue and Christmas card making. There will be Christmas carols in the background, sparkling fairy lights, the Christmas tree standing tall and proud with ornaments both store bought and handmade, warmth of the vanilla candles, cider simmering on the stove and big smiles and fuzzy hearts.

She and her tiny friends will together “make” the fondue and then share it. Fondue is such a communal way to eat. The children will eat from a common bowl of chocolate, picking their favourite things to dip but taking care that they leave enough of everything for their friends. They will learn  that they need to be fair and equal and will go back home with the kind of happiness that only sharing can give them.

Plus the abundance of lots of tiny platters make it just the Christmassy thing to do.

Chocolate Fondue

Ingredients:

For the sauce:

100 grams of dark chocolate broken into pieces

100 ml thick cream

50 ml milk

For dipping & coating use whatever you have on hand. Here are some ideas:

• Fruits of your choice: apples, grapes, pears, bananas, strawberries, raspberries, etc
• Sprinkles
• Chocolate curls
• Pretzels
• Marshmallows
• Dessicated Coconut
• Edible glitter

Instructions:

1. In a double boiler or heat-safe bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt chocolate with cream and milk stirring, until smooth. Transfer to a fondue pot and light a candle (If your children are old enough this task too can be given to them, under your supervision). Teach them if it gets too runny, simply put more chocolate.
2. Depending on the age of the kids ask them to help you peel the banana, wash the rest of the fruits, separate the grapes from the stem.
3. Give them a child friendly knife and ask them to slice the bananas, chop/slice the apples and the pears and cut off the strawberry tops
4. Next ask them to fill all the little plates/bowls with the rest of the fondue accompaniments.
5. Pick up the skewers and dunk everything into the warm chocolate and enjoy. 
6. Little children with chocolate all over their faces and sticky fingers come free with this recipe.

Add some zing to the sauce by adding a splash of vanilla, a bit of orange juice, grated lemon /orange zest or mint extract.

Do you have more ideas on things that would be fun to dip?

Merry Christmas everyone.

Before I end this post, I wanted to share that a couple of us have gotten together for a Christmas Festival of sorts on our blogs. One post a day to inspire you to make Christmas cards, decorations, read Christmas  books, try out Christmas  recipes and make Christmas goodies with your little ones (Yes, that would be me:))

Hope to see you guys drop by everyone's blogs and share the love.

Images: If you like any of the pictures on the blog and would like to use those please write to me. I put in hours of work behind each post and would love to share it with you but it would hurt me if  use those without my permission. Just ask!

Come join a set of fabulous bloggers sharing their Christmas moments - Easy Holiday Crafts, DIY ideas, Recipes , Decor ideas and book recommendations with you .

Starting from today till Christmas and beyond, each one of us will be writing a post related to Christmas.
Participating blogs
ArtsyCraftsyMom - munniofalltrades - hfareensspace - roohiscollections - hellomommyhood - attachedmoms - totschooltotallyawesome - Themomviews - bumpsnbaby.com -
rugsoflife - oneandahalfminutes - shishuworld - ruskandtea - aspoonfullofideas - orangekitchens - obsessivemom - rachnaparmar - parentingmantras -
onboardthemommyship - kwikdekoblog - thekeybunch - momzspace - whatscookingmom - coloursdekor - happypeopleevents - fantastic-feathers - beingzoesmom

So sit back, relax and check out all the fabulous Christmas Bonanza posts from our participating blogs in the linky. Support us by sharing our posts using the hash tag #ChristmasBonanza


This Linky is for participating blogs only, but We would love to see your Christmas Crafts too. Come and link up your Christmas post at ArtsyCraftsyMom.com

An InLinkz Link-up

Chocolate Nariyal Laddoos For Diwali (Chocolate coconut truffles)

Diwali is just round the corner. Twinkling diyas, homemade mithais, strings of marigolds, fragrant incense sticks, rangolis and torans. It is such a magical time of the year; one that we wait for all year long. 

Planning the décor, deciding the menu, handcrafting gifts, observing family traditions some that our parents made and we love to observe and some that we are creating for Sara each year.

But what I love most about this festival of lights is putting together handmade edible gifts for family and friends and for all the people who help us get through each day. The guy who comes over to help me with the cleaning each week, our security guard who makes sure we sleep well each night, the laundry guy who never forgets to say hi to Sara when he comes home to drop our clothes. Diwali is only Diwali when you share your happiness with everyone around you and sometimes it is so easy to forget that amidst all the bling.

A box of besan barfi (chickpea fudge) one year, moongphali and til gajak (peanut and sesame brittle) the next and gulkund (Rosepetal) chocolates the year after.

Sara has been observing this tradition for the last couple of years (just like I saw my mum doing the same all these years) but it is only now she is understanding & more importantly experiencing the joy of thanking people who she values for being there and I am happy to help her make them a part of her big day.

That big smile when she slips in a box of homemade truffles into a friend’s hand and wishes her a Happy Diwali or that hug from her teacher when she gives her a handmade Diwali card or that awww from masi when she paints her a terracotta diya is what makes Diwali truly special. No store bought gift can ever match up to handmade love and this is one tradition that I’d like my little girl to take away from us.

This year she is making Diwali cards and these chocolate truffles for all the people who matter to her (I have been helping her make a card for everyone ever since she turned two and it has a become a ritual of sorts).

Just like the previous year the cards won’t be perfect; probably she will get tired after making a few and will ask me to help her, she will “sign” her name in her “royal” handwriting and later feel shy giving them. The truffles won’t be all round, there will be chocolatey mess in the kitchen, some will land in her mouth before we end up packing them, some will land on the floor and I will be spending a better part of the day cleaning but what a wonderful day it will be.

We will both acknowledge all the kind and loving people in our lives, we will talk about why and how much we appreciate and value them and how our lives will be incomplete without them and how giving a piece of our heart in the shape of a truffle will make them grin ear to ear.

Do you have any family traditions that you observe or any traditions that you would like to create this year? Are handcrafted presents one of those? I would love to hear about it.

Chocolate nariyal laddoos (Chocolate coconut truffles (Makes 20 balls)

Ingredients

• Two 100 grams bars of dark chocolate (we used 70%, if you’d like take a 50 % or even milk chocolate)
• 4 tbsp of cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp of soft butter
• 1 cup of desiccated coconut
• Cocoa powder and desiccated coconut to roll (drinking chocolate/ sesame seeds also work )

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, break the chocolate into small pieces with your hand.
2. Micro it on low for about 2 minutes. Checking and stirring every thirty seconds.
3. Add the cream, vanilla and butter and stir. You will now have a glossy chocolate mix.
4. Add the desiccated coconut and stir.
5. Shape them into tiny balls on a tray lined with foil or parchment.
6. Roll some of them into drinking chocolate and some in desiccated coconut
7. Put them into mini cupcake cases/boxes.
8. Gift them to your friends and get ready for lots of tight hugs.

Wishing all you awesome people a sparkling and a "green" Diwali.

Before I end this post, I wanted to share that a couple of us have gotten together for a Diwali Festival of sorts on our blogs. One post a day to inspire you to make Diwali cards, decorations, read Diwali books, try out Diwali recipes and make Diwali goodies with your little ones (Yes, that would be me:))

Hope to see you guys drop by everyone's blogs and share the love.

Images: If you like any of the pictures on the blog and would like to use those please write to me. I put in hours of work behind each post and would love to share it with you but it would hurt me if  use those without my permission. Just ask!

Come join a set of fabulous bloggers sharing their Diwali moments , easy Crafts, DIY ideas, Recipes and book recommendations with you .

Starting from today till Diwali and beyond, each one of us will be writing a post related to Diwali.

Participating blogs

Artsy Craftsy mom . Reading Rabbits Library . Food and fads . Cherish Dream Live . My little Moppet . On-board the Mommyship . Roohi's Collection . Colours Dekor . Bumps n Baby  . Hello Mommyhood . A spoonfull of ideas . CraftIsland .  The Keybunch . ParentingMantras . Whats Cooking Mom . Orange kitchens . Quilts & Quills . Fun Activities for Children . Something’s cooking . Obsessivemom . The Design Enthusiast . Fantastic Feathers . Little aadi ali

So sit back, relax and check out all the fabulous Diwali Dhamaka posts from the participating blogs in the linky.

An InLinkz Link-up

Link in your Diwali posts here

An InLinkz Link-up

50 things I've told Sara to persuade her to eat her food.

Whenever I meet other members of my family,friends or readers who follow my blog most begin by saying, "Oh, so that is your little chefling!" “Yes she is”, grins her mother. This is followed by, “We read your blog. You are such a lucky mum. Your girl eats everything and our children...sigh!”

“No! I am NOT”, I want to shout out loud.

Hmm…I understand that this little blog gives you an impression that my little girl ALWAYS wipes her plate clean. Each and every time. From the steamed broccoli to the stir fried mushrooms (Okay, broccoli she does but hey she doesn’t even touch those mushrooms). 

It is time to show you that a child who eats everything is work of fiction. Mine definitely doesn’t. I always try my best to practice my three commandments and a lot of times I fail. I pick myself up and restart.

• Convince her to at least try. She may or may not like it but that is not important. What is important is that she is open to tasting.
• Try and not offer desserts/TV/ playtime as a reward for finishing the meal. Ahem. I am lying. Guilty as hell. I am a mum after all.
• In this house we don’t waste food. If we don’t finish our food. We get leftovers. May be sometimes dressed up as bestovers but we eat them. Period.

The times I fail are often. These are just some of the lines that I have "used" in the past to persuade her to eat and to finish her meals on time. Don't you judge me? :) I am a mum, okay? Mums are allowed these kinds of things.

1. If you eat this walnut you will become really smart. Do you see the shape of this walnut? It resembles our brain. Walnuts are good for your brain.
2. If you eat this carrot your eyes will sparkle. Do you know it has this thing called vitamin A, something like a magic potion for eyes?
3. If you eat this tomato, your cheeks will become all red. You will look so cute and mamma will get red and juicy cheeks to kiss.
4. If you don’t eat carrots then you will have to wear specs like mamma. Then how will you read more books? If you don’t read more books, then how will you become smarter? But I am already eating walnuts to become smart, mamma? Gulp.
5. But this morning you didn’t eat your walnut. If you don’t eat that walnut then you will become silly. Do you want to be silly? Yes, I want to be silly. Silly is fun.
6. Fish is so good for the brain. Look at papa he quizzes. He quizzes because his mum fed him fish. Don’t you want to quiz? No, I want to do ballet and become a fairy.
7. Then you must finish your fish. Children who finish their fish can fly. Really, if I finish this fish I will be able to fly? No, not now. When you eat a thousand fishes that will make your magical wings stronger and then you can fly. At the age of 18, okay? Okay mamma.
8. Dinner? What dinner? I never gave you dinner. That was snack. This is dinner. Sometimes when she has had a really early dinner and I know she is getting going to get hungry come midnight or she has had inadequate dinner according to her mother, her mother fools her into thinking she never ate dinner. The poor little thing believes her mum. Totally mean. But that is okay. She can do the same to her kids. I swear I won’t stop her.
9. You can watch another episode of Charlie and Lola ONLY if you finish this entire bowl of dal.
10. You need to taste this and then decide if you like it or not? All chefs need to. They must. Else they are fake chefs.
11. Almonds help you remember things. Do you want to forget that Sofia song or what? Here, eat these.
12. Come on finish your food quickly. We also need to eat those brownies, right?
13. I want EVERYTHING on that plate finished. Do you hear me?
14. If you don’t finish your food then God will get very upset. So many kids don’t have food to eat and look at your plate, it is full. We are so lucky and we must appreciate that.
15. If you eat this cabbage your hair will grow longer than even Rapunzel’s.
16. Alright, this is the last bite. Okay, one last bite. This time I really really promise last bite.
17. If you want to go down and play, you have to finish that glass of milk.
18. Oh my goodness look how tall you’ve become after drinking all that Horlicks (Read: 5 ml)
19. If you don’t eat then that kitty who is hiding somewhere in our house, she will. Here, my eyes are shut now. Kitty Kitty come and finish off Sara’s food. Oh kitty ate? Surprise!
20. Can you roar like a lion? She opens her mouth. Quicky shove food inside. Can you roar like a tiger now? Cheetah?
21. Oh for God’s sake put on that obnoxious Barbie song on your phone so that I can force feed her while she is busy watching that mindless video.
22. We have all finished our food.
23. Don’t you want to go for that party or not?
24. What do you mean you don’t like eating a banana? You have always loved bananas.  Now I don’t. What do you mean by now you don’t? Mamma, people change.
25. But you loved it when masi made it.
26. But you loved it when nani made it.
27. Because I said so.
28. Because my mamma told me it is good for health and mammas are always correct.
29. God told me. How can God tell you mamma? God doesn’t talk to people. Sssh…he does, only to mammas. I don’t believe you. Then I don’t believe that you can talk to fairies. Mouth shut. Food in.
30. Oooooh but you can’t call any food “bad”. God gets very upset. Ok, mamma I dislike this. Now ok?
31. You are not getting up from your chair till you finish that porridge.
32. This is khicdhi. It is yum. It is good for your tummy and will make your fever go away. But it is yukh. No problem, don’t eat.  We can get a suppository from Dr.Menon instead.
33. Should I put Nutella on it?
34. More Nutella?
35. Should I sprinkle some chaat masala on it? With lemon.
36. Don’t keep that food in your mouth. You are supposed to chew it.
37. Chew faster.
38. Faster Sara. Faster.
39. No, you give me THAT spoon. I don’t have all day to watch you sit and eat.
40. Fine you are still on your first bite let me call your friend’s mum and tell her we won’t be able to come for the playdate because Sara is still eating.
41. Come let’s see who comes first? Papa, you or me? Mamma, this is not a competition. Please let me enjoy my food.
42. Zucchini is good for you. Pumpkin is good for you. Brussels sprouts are good for you. Asparagus is good for you. If they are all so good for me then how come none of them taste good?
43. How is it possible that you like to eat coconut pieces but don’t like coconut milk in a curry? I don’t.
44. Do you want to faint while doing PE at school? Finish your breakfast now.
45. You will miss your school bus if you don’t eat quickly. Don’t you want to meet your friends?
46. Okay let me call your teacher.
47. Fine. You don’t want to be a real princess. That is fine by me. Real princesses eat everything.
48. I am counting till ten.
49. Now I am going to take away that plate from you and won’t give you food even if you are hungry.
50. Sara last warning and I mean it.

Mussels and Orzo One Pot Meal.

She tried. Made a horrible face and then ate her “plain” orzo stir fried in some olive oil with sun dried tomatoes, olives and oregano.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion
• ½ tsp garlic paste
• 4 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
• About a litre of any homemade stock (store bought is also fine)
• 150 grams of orzo or any tiny pasta you like
• 200 gms of mussels
• Fresh herbs like parsley, basil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Take the olive oil and stir fry the onions till they are soft and pink.
2. Add the garlic paste and sauté the onion-garlic for 2-3 minutes on low heat.
3. Add the tomatoes and cook till they leave oil.
4. Allow the contents of the pan to cool down and then blitz to make it into a smooth paste.
5. Put the smooth mixture back into the pan.
6. Add the homemade/store bought stock and salt and bring it to a boil.
7. Add the orzo and cook till it is almost done. About 10-12 minutes.
8. In the last five minutes add the cleaned mussels and leave it to simmer.
9. Add the herbs. Check for salt and add some pepper.

Images: If you like any of the pictures on the blog and would like to use those please write to me. I put in hours of work behind each post and would love to share it with you but it would hurt me if  use those without my permission.Just ask!

Because she loves tea parties.

Sara likes tea parties. She loves “hosting” them. Most afternoons after school she likes to make tea for me. Sometimes her dolls join us too.

Often there are sandwiches, cookies and a pastry or two. I get directions on how to hold the cup, “with your pinkie out because a princess ought to behave like a princess”.

While “drinking” our tea I ask her how was school? There are days when she has a lot to tell. There are days when she doesn't. "It was good", she says. Then there are days like yesterday when she said, "Oh! it was very exciting". "Wow! Tell me all about it Sara", I said.

“I can’t remember what we did. But I remember it was very exciting!”

Umm. Alright.

But I digress.

I can’t remember if as a kid I loved tea parties as much as she does. Perhaps it has got to do with overdose of all the princess books she has been reading. Alice in Wonderland too.

A couple of weeks back she got back from school and asked if she could have her friends over for a tea party. "Tomorrow evening mamma. Like real tea, mamma. Wearing princess gowns".

"I will need to make invitations", she added. "They need to go out today. I will give it to them at the park this evening".

With very little time on hand we downloaded this free printable and she wrote out her friends' and her own name in a “Royal” font no less (Read: curly plus wiggly handwriting equals royal)

"But what will we serve Sara"? 

"It is my tea party, can I cook"?, she asked. "There has to be tea and cookies and those tomato squares that we made the other day".

We agreed. I did a little prep work the next morning so that she could “cook” after school.

Chocolate milk for tea in “royal” cups: Years back I was gifted these dainty china cups which I always ended up using for dips and desserts. We took them out and she helped me fill each one with some “tea”.

Teabag cookies: Because to make tea we need teabags and we also need cookies to go with it. I had been waiting for a chance to make these ridiculously cute teabag cookies ever since I saw them everywhere and now was my chance :) I prepared the dough in the morning and kept a teabag stencil ready for her to cut them out. From there on it was easy. While she dipped each teabag into the warm chocolate ganache I tried very hard to be okay with it not being “perfect” and not dipping it back in. For my little chefling's cookies were more than perfect in every way. I attached the tea bag labels (free printable) and she squealed with excitement.

Tomato, basil and goat cheese squares: These happen to be Sara’s favorite and I feel they are a nice change from the usual pizza/pasta for a kid’s party. Since they have both the tomato and the cheese the children are willing to try. Plus they look like “grown up” food which was perfect for her “grown up tea party”.  

I prepared the dough and sliced the tomatoes before she got back from school. We then cut them into squares and she adorned each square with tomatoes slices, a generous sprinkle of  basil and goat cheese. We painted them with egg wash and they went into the oven.

We also had some gooey brownies which were a surprise for the chef who had spent all afternoon cooking for her friends.

The girls had so much fun that evening. They sat on the chairs wearing their pretty dresses and dipped their teabags into their tiny cups. They drew teacups and kettles and milk pots and sugar pots and played some more pretend tea. They talked. They laughed.

My little girl was exhausted by the end of it all. "Was I good hostess mamma"?, she asked.

"The best", said her proud mum.

Does your little one like playing “tea party”?

For us this party was much more than just a game. See for yourself.

Sara learnt:

• It is nice to invite friends over and it is even nicer when the invitation is handwritten. It makes our friends feel special.
• There is a lot of work that goes into cooking for friends and family. It is exhausting but there is no greater joy than feeding your loved ones.
• Toys when shared with friends multiply your happiness.
• When you take care of your little guests you go on to become a great little hostess and get many many hugs from all of them.
• Lastly, when we pour too much of chocolate milk into a tiny cup we get a chocolate puddle on the kitchen slab which then trickles down to the floor and that means lots of cleaning :)

I learnt:

• All get togethers needn’t be planned. Yes, I am Monica types. Sara taught me a great lesson. Sometimes impromptu plans are way more fun than planned ones.
• What they make doesn't have to look "perfect". What is important is leading them to the kitchen and allowing them to touch, feel and see where their food come from. Trust me whatever they make with their two little paws will be beautiful and will leave you teary eyed. 
• You don’t have to necessarily DIY each little element of your party. Didn't I already mention I am Monica with a DIY obsession? It is okay to take help from others. These two ladies helped us with invitations and tea bag labels and tons of you inspired us to try out your super creative tea bag cookies.
• I love having her with me in the kitchen. The questions that she asks, the advice she gives me, the talks we have, the mistakes she makes and the mess she makes, All of this and more makes my day brighter.

Would you like to have a cup of tea?

Tomato, basil and goat cheese squares.

Ingredients

• 450 grams puff pastry (readymade is fine) I use this recipe
• One egg, beaten
• 1 tsp garlic paste
• 1 tsp of dry basil plus more for sprinkling later
• 2 tsp olive oil
• Salt
• 4 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 100 grams goat cheese, cut into tiny wedges

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and prepare a baking sheet with some parchment paper.
2. Roll out the puff pastry thin and cut it into squares or any shape that you like. We made ten medium squares.
3. Put them on the baking sheet and fold the sides of each of the squares to make a sort of slightly raised border (about 1 cm). Brush these borders with the egg wash.
4. Mix the garlic paste, olive oil, basil and salt together and brush all the squares with it.
5. Arrange the sliced tomatoes on the squares, overlapping a bit. About two to three slices per square. Bake for about 15 minutes. The tomatoes will be tender and light brown.
6. Take the baking sheet out and add a wedge or two of the goat cheese and sprinkle some basil on to each square. Return to the oven for another 7-8 minutes. The cheese will  be melty but will still hold shape.
7. You can serve it both hot or at room temperature.

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