Here's an idea for Summer Holiday Fun or Home Educating Families...

Hire a local Village Hall / Community Centre - with an enclosed outside space is ideal. If the weather is really hot, consider putting up one of those dead simple and cheapo Marquees... to provide a bit of well needed shade. This advice is, of course, 'rich' as i was the only person today who managed to badly sunburn themselves.

And ask a few families to all chip in with the Hall cost and with the activities.

It might sound strange but you don't want 'too many' families as it can get a little bit manic and hectic. We do this every week and we have just 4 families with 8 children bewteen us. they are quite.... erm,,,,, LOUD! so we feel 8 children is enough (let alone the parents!)

I took a tray of pre-baked cakes for all the children to join and and decorate. Take some food colouring, a few packets of sweets and raisins, icing sugar, spoons - all that jazz - and that is snacking sorted.

If there is an adult who says they are not 'crafty' (is there such a thing?) then put them in charge of bringing all tea / coffee / drinks and milk to sustain the adults and children.

Then you set up several diffrent tables with the different activities on... The children can dip in and out of activities and bewteen playing as they want to. Each adult can bring something different to do. And that way, ideas and cost are spread pretty evenly.

Today, we decorated cakes.

And we did Marble Inking! We set up a long washing line to hang up our pictures. This was one of the major advantages to the gorgeous weather and crafting outside.

Somebody bought a big box of toys - somebody bought a big tub of Dressing-Up clothes - and I painted the Children's Faces as Dalmations and Pussy Cats....

Not that i'm telling you how to parent / play with your brood - heaven forbid! But this Weekly Play Club keeps our hard working group of Mums, a little bit saner. And it occured to me, if other parents booked a hall space in the Summer Hols, they could experience the fun we have? And it is surprising the skills and activities other parents have hidden.

Enjoy your kids.

Enjoy the Weather.

Enjoy life xxx

Batteries not included....

There is only ONE PLACE TO BE - this Thursday (18th FEB) in 'Half Term'.... We're doing R O B O T S at the Craft Cafe - Boddington Village Hall
Craft tables open at 10am and close at 12pm.
Cafe open to members of the general public PLUS my amazing PaperFish Craft Stall with many handmade goodies and Craft Supplies xxx see you there!

Day Trippers...

As the sign says, "Blethcley Park".
It's on the outskirts of Milton Keynes. It is the place that had that film made about it "ENIGMA" (with Kate Winslet)...? WE loved it! What a great day. If you are in the area, and you like history - go there.
Nobody really goes 'on holiday' to Milton Keynes... it ain't that kinda place - but i live quite near, so i got a season ticket for Bletchley. There is so much to learn here.

My LittleFish also had a great time. But it looks like 'baby' (below) was looking for a swift getaway...

We obviously took all the history and wartime learning, very very seriously...

I loved the exhibition called "The Home Front"....

and i have started my own little project about the 1940's into the 1950's... fashion, art, design and domesticity.

I have even bought my dad a season's entry ticket for his birthday - he is sooo going to love this place! (i don't work for the Buckinghamshire Tourist Office, honest guv)

I think i might dress up on my next visit, in authenticate vintage clothing of the era :)

You would love all the "Make Do & Mend" memorabilia - and the posters and propaganda and the buildings and the entire 'feel' of the place.

We split our sides laughing when we joined the wrong tour group - a group of 53 OAP's out on a Day Trip... we were asked, most impolitely, if we wouldn't mind leaving their group. SmallFish kept on laughing and pointing at their group when we saw them again "Look Mum, wasn't that our first group, who didn't want us"... (she's not subtle... or quiet)

I guess you had to be there really - but, you could be there... if you ever find yourself with a free day and you are in the area?

Pom Pom Phenomenon....

Been busy... you know how it is. Christmas n'all that. I don't think that excuses the state of my work surface though? *shameful blush*
Nor does it excuse my lack of blogging... But guess what??? we had sunshine today - for a full 10 minutes!!! it was glorious and i became somewhat delirious - bathing in shafts of golden light, twas like a week on a beach i swear (note: delirium in bathroom mirror shot)

So i had a quick opportunity to photograph some stuffs i have been working on.

The PomPom phenomenon happens during each annual festive run-up. I love making PomPoms - who doesn't? so repetative and refreshingly mind-numbing.

I used to make them alot with my 'Kids' who needed a bit of "Time out"

Funny to watch hard-faced teenagers and 'Offenders' turn wool into fluffy balls....

But, more than that, i never fail to get adult attention when Pompom-ing in public: "wow" they exclaim, " i remember making PomPoms and now i've totally forgotten how"... Last year, if i had been selling them at Craft Fairs i think i would have made some real money. Everybody loved to watch the PomPom being born...

Mostly i make mine white and silver to hang like Snowballs. This year i have gone "all colour" and i've been making them to hang in groups of 3. Purple, Pink and Lime - with contrasting gingham ribbons.

What's not to love? They are adorable and i find, even the men like them. Something to do with hairy balls? maybe. But i rather like to think of them as nostalgic and a real moment placed back in One's childhood when we knew Christmas as a time a little simpler, with fewer pressures.

My advice? For what it's worth... don't sweat the big stuff. Bring Christmas back to it's basics: Food, friends, family and Pompoms. Have fun :)

2 Sins of mine....

My LittleFish's Cupcakes: My Bakewell Cupcakes - over on the food blog x

Oh god, this picture makes me want to eat another one!

Sins I am guilty of... Pride and Gluttony x