Last year I followed an idea I'd seen for an Advent Activity Calendar. It was their first Advent Calendar and worked really well for us: in addition to them getting a treat every day, we got to do a fun activity or craft that really cemented the notion that Christmas was more than simply gifts. And so I have put together a similar calendar for this year, including activities that I have already booked that the children don't know about. We are … [Read more...]
Pretty Paper Angel Garland
We have been reading Milly-Molly-Mandy- Granny's favourite stories- at bedtime of late. In one tale, 'Teacher' comes to stay at Milly-Molly-Mandy's home and astounds the child by making 'little sailor girls'. I remember making the same thing from newspaper as a child. My Girls were interested to know what these little sailor girls were, so I showed them how you make a string of 'little girls' by concertina-ing a length of paper, and cutting … [Read more...]
In which my children design their own t-shirts
Polo-shirts.co.uk is launching a competition which calls upon your t-shirt designing skills. Your children can enter their design and the winning blogger (and parent of designer) gets £100 given to the charity of their choice. We were sent t-shirts and fabric crayons by the people at Polo Shirts with which to create our masterpieces. I put a piece of card between the front and back of the t-shirt to prevent transfer, and I stuck the … [Read more...]
Coloured melting bead Diwas: Diwali craft
We were very lucky to be introduced to Hama Beads recently. We've made dogs and princesses and pumpkins but wanted to branch out a little. Diwali fills the post-Halloween Pumpkinfest void perfectly, so it seemed a good idea to use the melting beads to make Diwas. LBG really enjoyed making our saltdough Diwas last year. Following instructions from Creative Jewish Mom, LBG and I filled an oiled bowl with Hama beads and baked them until they were … [Read more...]
{kids in the kitchen} How to make a Brazilian flag sandwich.
Remember how we are on a journey Around the World in 12 Dishes? Well we are spending this month in Brazil (metaphorically- in actual fact we are in Bromley. But they both begin with a 'br' so there's that!) Because The Girls are advancing their independence in the kitchen, I took a different approach to this month's challenge. I gave them the tools and the project and helped when asked. And they learned how to make a Brazilian Open … [Read more...]
A tail of two pigs- our NatWest #pigsbykids
This is the tale of Pigling Bling, a country girl, whose dreams stretched far beyond the fences of the homestead where she was born. She tended chickens and watered the carrots every day, just as her mother had before her, but it did untold damage to her beautiful trotters. When she closed her eyes, she herself in Pig City, performing to sold-out audiences around the world. There was no doubt she'd look fabulous in curve-hugging creations from … [Read more...]
Poppy Remembrance Day Craft and Linky
You know how, if you stare at something for long enough, an idea comes to you? My very easy Pumpkin garland has been hanging in the kitchen for the past three weeks so I get to look at it repeatedly throughout the day. Then suddenly, it came to me: a poppy craft for Remembrance Day that is so very simple to make. It goes like this. Try to keep up won't you? You take a length of red crepe banner and concertina it for what feels like ever. … [Read more...]
