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It’s a bit of a crazy busy period at the moment. Writing the follow-up to my first book, all manner of other creative projects going on – plus I have become a part-time stay-at-home dad again! Work commitments mean I cannot do as much with Matilda as I did in the early days with Archie but I am still getting to spend loads of precious time with her at the moment since Jo has gone back to her part-time school counsellor job.
And having Matilda at home, having to fill the time we spend together, has literally sent me back four years in time. Now that Archie is so confident in the kitchen, I have pretty well forgotten how and why we first got into the kitchen together. More than anything, it was a place to hang out together in, spend some quality time while I prepared lunch or supper. Somewhere he could be free and creative (code: make a mess). In the very early days, cooking was of course secondary. It was all about the fun of being together.
And so history is repeating itself with Matilda. The FunPod has been dusted down and we now hang out in the kitchen together. She is a very different personality to Archie – a little less chaotic, a little less prone to pick things up and throw them (no doubt that will come with age), but once again, she has shown what a wonderful place the kitchen can be to hang out in. I say it all the time when I talk about cooking with kids, that getting them in the kitchen early helps build a fun and positive relationship around food for them – and it has been really lovely to be reminded of this when hanging out with my little girl…
Of course, she is a long long way from cooking but she is quickly learning that the kitchen is the hub of our family life. And no, before you ask, there won’t be any Matilda cooking videos for a long while. Archie was a little over 2 years old when I first turned a camera on in our kitchen so I think she has a little way to go yet!
lovely photos – gorgeous girl!
Can't wait for Funpod time here
Thanks Liz! That'll be soon for you
I bought a Funpod a few months ago and it's great! My wee one is 18 months and I have started putting him in the pod when I am preparing and cooking our meals. I try to talk to him about what I'm doing and he likes to do the odd stir, pouring in a sauce or empty a packet into a pan but that's the extent of his involvement at the moment. I can't wait until he is a little older and can be more involved. Still loving your book. Not a week goes by without a recipe from it being used. The pages are starting to stick together! Looking forward to the next one.
So lovely to see Matilda in the kitchen with you, what a blessing that it's about 4 x bigger than your last kitchen they'll be room for Archie as well when he's not at nursery.
)
Great pics so they Archie love the scales where are they from???
The scales are Salter scales Nesta, I think about £40 from John Lewis…
So you're liking playing with your new toy then! Terrific pics.
Yes!! I am getting there slowly
x
She looks gorgeous and so like Archie. Fun times ahead…
Thanks Penny, yes I hope so!
Man she's cute. Looks like she knows what she's doing already though
She looks a natural. Enjoy, have fun.
a natural mess maker you mean?!
Mathilda is really cute and I think your kitchen really embodies a little paradise for children. I love your recipe of happiness!
Bisous à vous 4,
Hello Fanfan!! Merci et j'ai transmis le bisou!!
xxx
Lovely post Nick
She looks so like Archie!
Looking forward to funpod times here too, little Luca nearly a year and already loves watching me cook from the sling or sitting on the counter stealing fruit…
Ani
Awwww he is not far off Ani, I can tell you!! xx
That's fab, such fun to introduce them to all the smells and tastes in the kitchen at a young age.
Thanks Ben, yes I do agree!
Goodness time flies!! The last I remembered is that you all had a successful and beautiful home birth with her!
Thanks Corinne. Yes, that feels like only yesterday…! x
What a little cutie!
You can see she's related to Archie – I hope he looks after her like every big brother should
when he is not slyly punching her?!
Great pics, Matilda looks like she is going to break some hearts when she is older
)
I fear this could be the case Debs!
She is just stunning Nick. x
Thanks Holly
x
Such a beautiful little chef in the making you have there
Ps I love your scales!
she's been watching her brother…!