Shopping for a large family

Shopping for a large family

I think the key to shopping for a large family is bulk and planning! I tend to split my shopping into various trips. I pay a yearly membership to Costco so that I can buy alot of our shop in bulk. I buy toilet rolls, washing powder, fabric conditionor, cleaning products, nappies and baby wipes. I also buy things like ketchup, seasonings, tea bags, coffee and rice. Costco also have really nice meat, their pork belly in particular and I find it hard to resist their caremilsed onion sausages! On average my shop at Costco comes to £80-£100 and that would last me at least 6 weeks. The problem with costco is that they always have loads of other stuff that I want to buy but shouldn’t.  You know, the sort of stuff that makes Mike sweat when I start browsing,  pillows, candles, coffee machines, throws (you can never have enough throws),  books and home decorations. You can guarentee that regardless of how quickly Mike wants to get around and tries to steer me away from anything that is not on my list, if there is a bar b que, tool set or ‘boys toy’ on offer it will add an extra hour to our trip! I find taking a list always helps me stick to what I really need and also means I don’t come away forgetting any essentials. Once I left without nappies and loo roll but instead had two paddling pools and a football goal! Next stop is Aldi where  I stock up on all our cupboard essentials like crisps, biscuits, cereals, squash, tins and pasta etc. I also buy their prosecco, wines,  cheeses and ham. This leaves my regular ‘pop in’ to Co-op or sainsburys for milk,  bread, fruit and veg much less of a burden. I can preach this, but I really need to stick to it myself. As much as I know I should do it and on an organised month I am religious, I also have months where I spend £200 more than I need to because I leave it all to the last minute and run into sainsburys, hungry and with no plan of action! There are also weeks/months where I can get my a#?e to the supermarket which is when sainsburys delivery gets used. Speaking of the continence of delivery, I am really tempted to try one of these fruit and veg delivery services where they deliver you a box once a week….does anyone have this?  What are your thoughts? I have mentioned in previous blogs I tend to cook alot of big pot dishes such as Curries, pasta, shepherds pies, lasagne, chilli, stews, they all work out cheaper than buying ready prepered food for us as a big family.

Country Kids

Country Kids

When we moved to the farm two and a half years ago I really didn’t think about what amazing experiences it would provide for the kids. Although they all embrace the country life,  Harrison is certainly our most natural countryboy. Part of our life here includes raising and caring for animals,  some as pets, some as food. Both are cared for and respected during their time with us regardless. IMG-20160213-WA0003 It is completely natural to Harri to handle all sorts of animals,  dead or alive and when we have lost a chicken to a fox or illness I’m often calling for him to help me (I’m not such a natural!) When we dispatched our pigs last year, Harri was on hand to help Mike with the grollocking. I had explained to all the children what was happening and that if they would rather stay indoors that might be for the best but Harri was determined to help. However, I totally respect that Mikey (Harri’s twin brother) is happy to care for them and eat the end product but doesnt feel comfortable with the killing (like his mum) Lately Harri he has really taken to joining Mike on the shoots. He helps with the Dogs and collecting the birds. Last time he went with his cousin Brook and they came back at the end of the day like they had been to Disneyworld! After bringing the birds back it was over to Mikey,Charlie and Libby to help prep them for diner. DSC_3369 It can be controversial and some friends do not like the idea of eating animals we raised ourselves. Other friends can’t wait till their next ‘Thompson Pork fix ‘.  The pork Belly I made from our saddleback was amazing. I would rather eat something that I know the history of and the taste is so different. Whatever your opinion is,  the kids are learning some invaluable lessons that I could never imagine them learning before we moved here . IMG-20160125-WA0004

Holiday Anxieties

Holiday Anxieties

The anxiety is beginning to set in. I have never felt like I need a holiday as badly as I do now and feel blessed we have an amazing trip coming up. However,  before I can slip into my bikini, order a daiquiri and lay down by the pool, I have the slightly massive hurdle of getting there!! Two and a half weeks of beautiful Florida Sunshine….. Which means two and a half weeks worth of clothes for seven people to pack ! This year the Trunkies have been shelved.  Last time Mike had to drag four trunkies through Miami Airport it nearly ended in divorce. Obviously it was my fault (even though I asked his opinion,  he did not want to offer any input into packing and our luggage arrangements). This year I have strategically bought the four older children backpacks which they have already been instructed will stay with THEM the whole trip. The suitcases is where the real anxiety begins. We have an allowance of one stored case each.  That’s seven cases! We won’t be able to manover seven cases. That is logistically impossible! So,  one for me, one for Mike and two for all the kids?  three for all the kids?  That’s five suitcases!! JESUS! Then there is the flight. The four older children travel really well.  Give them a movie or some music and a book and they will be fine on the eight hour flight. George, my seven month old however is a different story.   He is at that age now where he doesn’t want to be held and  he fights sleep. Any tips on how to keep your head when on a eight hour flights with a baby!? Once we arrive we have a four hour drive to our final destination…. Key West. download As long as we make it there without losing any kids and without the help of Vallium we will have a great holiday. In the meantime, wish me luck!!!!!