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M age 6

Mum

Age 3

Back to school - already?

I must confess, even though I am looking forward to the kids going back to school, deep down I am sad. I love having them around; playing, painting, squabbling but I would not have it any other way. However, they need to go back to school, they are missing being with their friends and I am missing having a tidy house. As not to miss out on the remaining precious moments I have plans to keep them entertained.

Today we went to the local fair; arts and crafts, food tasting, children's entertainment, to name but a few activities. It is so lovely to see such talent, to be part of the community and have these wonderful town events. Afterwards we went for lunch, this was a little stressful, the kids were very hungry, I was tired after having a very early start and to top it off one of my kids had a very loud tantrum and proceeded to knock her un-drunk beverage all over my jeans - sigh! We left shortly after we ate.

Should the weather remain dry we intend to venture to the park during the week with a picnic basket and Frisbee in hand and meet up with parents from my daughter's school.

If we have a rainy day it will be time for creating indoors; painting, sketching, collages and maybe go as far as creating an exploding volcano.

So whatever you are doing make it fun because you won't get this time back.

How do you intend to spend you last days with your little ones?

Summer School Holidays

We have been really busy over the school holidays. We have spent it going on day trips, spending time with family, staying in a hotel and so on. It has been wonderful. I have to say though, after the 4 week mark everyone seems to be getting a little tired of each others company. The kids are starting to squabble more, we as the parents are ready to get back to work but we have a further two weeks.

I am super organised so I have their uniforms, lunch boxes and any school necessities ready to go I am leaving the shoes until the last minute because their tiny feet seem to grow so quick. All in all I have little to get ready and even though I love having my kids at home it is increasingly noticeable that we need our space.

So enjoy your remaining time and let me know how you spent your holiday.

Here are a few things we have been busy with:

Granddad's barge

Paddling Pool

Baking

Parks and Picnics

Tree climbing

Painting - Plein Air

Hayling Island

Monkey Park- Trentham Gardens

Forest School

Forest School  - I went on a training session for helpers at a local school. It was held on private grounds under a parachute tent where we were greeted by a forest leader, with a blazing fire and a pot of water ready for a brew. The logs were set around in a circle for us all to sit. It was pouring with rain but the shelter and the fire kept us warm and dry. Why am I telling you this? Well, this is part of what my daughters school is involved with and I love the outdoors and I want to teach my own children as well as others how wonderful the outdoors is.

The children learn about the forest, safety and play games to name but a few things. It also gets them outside and teach them to be independent, work as a team and get creative with their surroundings. Today on our forest session with the children, one group draw pictures of what they saw, another group went to explore the pond and my group made a collage with fallen leaves, twigs, bark to make a wonderful picture on the grass with natural items. The kids really enjoyed it, even though it was pouring with rain.

Get outdoors, learn to play and get dirty.

They are too young!

I am constantly been told that my kids are too young to do this or to do that. Recently I read a insert from a book about Bicycle Touring with Children by Nancy Sathre-Vogel, she makes a comment that when she started teaching it never occurred to her that her six year old students weren't capable of learning complex science concepts , however she taught them and they understood. It wasn't until she went back to University that someone said that her students were too young to learn such a subject.

So why are we constantly being told they are too young to learn this and too young to do that?

We really do put limitations on ourselves, or at least some people do. I would love to take my kids out on their bikes and go camping too, mostly to get more fresh air, build up their strength and their confidence it will also be fun but I know it will have it's challenges too. I however, hesitate to do it because I am told they are too young for all of this. If we do not try how will we know?

As a kid I loved nothing more than to go on my bike and be out in the fresh air. My parents regularly took me camping, in a campervan, caravan or a tent and guess what, I have nothing but good memories.

When my girls were in a stroller, I had a Chariot, I would attach it to my bike and go cycling with one of the girls and they would fall asleep or enjoy the view. I would also convert it to go jogging or convert it again to go for a walk. They are so sophisticated it could also be converted so that you could go skiing or hiking. I go off on a tangent a little.

What I am trying to say is, unless we try we do not know what our child's limitations are. We should never underestimate what they can do they may surprise us.

It's Playtime

I have seen this on a number of sites one being The Imagination Tree. Go check out the website there are some wonderful ideas to have fun and play with your kids.

Growing seeds

My little 3 year old is in an amazing nursery she gets to do loads of things including growing cress, flowers and other wonderful fun projects. It is really inspiring when the schools get the parents involved in some way or another. So, we are now growing our own tomatoes, the strawberries are not looking so good, I think the seeds ran off when watered! It is great fun, it gets my kids hands dirty and gets them to see things grow. Maybe one day we will have a garden where we can grow our own food. I have tried before but with little success since I am not naturally green fingered, but mistakes need to be made to one can learn

Happy Growing!

Books

Created by: http://steppydoodles.blogspot.co.uk/

I love going to the library an picking books out for my girls. It is nice to go around and see all the books I did not read as a child and pick them up and take them home with me. The girls also love to come to the library, the children's section is well presented and has lots of space for drawing, sitting and running around.

We have read a number of books recently, too many to list. Books about giants, books about girls, books about fairies etc. I love helping my girls to read, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your child develop their reading skills particularly when they love to read too and want to learn the words.

Reading is fun!

Kids Art Work

My 5yr old created this for her little sister

Created by my 3 yr old

Created by my 5 yr old - Love the colours

Coconut!

Rabbit by 3 yr old

Coconut by 5 year old,

Easter Weekend Madness

Lots of Easter Egg hunting, prizes, choc and a lovely Easter hat for each of my girls.

Easter Fun

Card by Melissa 

Card by Victoria

Bunny by Victoria

A beautiful picture my Melissa

Daffodil by Victoria

Easter Bunny by Steppy xxx

http://steppydoodles.blogspot.co.uk/

Fun at the seaside

We had such a beautiful weekend that it was time to visit the beach. A pebble beach but it had all the excitement of a British beach in the warm spring weather. A time for paddling in the sea and a time for collecting shells not to mention ice cream.

Kids Art

Spring flowers with faces :)

Fairy

School art

I love it when the kids come home with their arts and crafts made at school. They do some really creative and awesome things. The plant and cards were for mothers day, the plant pot painted and decorated. The potato at the top has cress seeds all ready to grow and make for yummy goodness.

Fun at the Staunton Park on the farm.