I’m going out out
Having not properly left the house for over three weeks I was determined to walk around the block by the end of the day. Not a long way in the grand scheme of things, but really quite a distance given how inactive I’d been up to that point.
Crafty children are happy children
Megan displayed her artistic credentials and got the children creating beautiful flowers from colourful circles of paper. It was amazing to see their utterly gorgeous pictures springing to life from such a simple starting point.
Summer’s over – it was nice while it lasted
The kids took every opportunity to splash and jump in puddles. Despite wearing wellies and puddle suits, they still managed to arrive home with cold and wet feet and legs. A quick change of clothes and warm sausage rolls sorted them out soon enough though.
When two (bedrooms) become one (almighty mess)
While the kids were playing together beautifully, they had somehow managed to make such an almighty mess that it took nearly half an hour to sort it all out. If only there was some way to channel their ability to cause chaos in to something good!
Lockdown: it’s a marathon not a sprint
The children decided that they wanted to “run a marathon” in the back garden. They were very inspired by Auntie Daisy. However, they can’t have run more than 150 metres before they got too tired to continue.
Wii will, Wii will rock you (or sulk if we lose)
The two main downsides of playing on the Wii were that (1) the kids hate losing so went in to insta-sulks if they didn’t win a particular game, and (2) there was a big comedown after all the excitement so they were almost unbearable in the afternoon. We can’t win!
Running, schoolwork, science and a gooey surprise
Stephen discovered the new version of Danger Mouse on Sky and the kids are totally hooked. It’s highly entertaining watching Stephen trying to explain to the kids how the show “breaks the forth wall”.
I’m a survivor, I’m gonna make it, I will survive, keep on surviving
James has decided he wants to rebuild all of his Lego sets. Unfortunately he’s kindly dismantled and distributed all the pieces across all the boxes of Lego throughout the house. This is going to be a long, arduous Lego building journey.
Breaking point
The children were mostly good while they made cheese straws, but Genevieve got cross and threw a strop when she saw that James’s batch had more twists than her ones.
Self-isolation is over – freeeeeeeeeedom!
Megan found a water colouring book in the cupboard. Despite the promise of “mess free fun”, the children still managed to splash the mucky water everywhere (including our beautifully white walls). I’m going to have to repaint most of the house once lockdown has finished.
Easter is over – back to homeschooling
It’s dinosaur week at preschool. James got out the dinosaur box and ordered them by height before deciding they needed to be sorted by type instead. Then we had a dinosaur treasure hunt followed by dinosaurs in the kinetic sand. All the dinosaur fun.
Sunshine Sunday
James insisted that today’s story featured his new monster trucks and also included a cameo from Grandad Lawrie as a woodcutter. This meant that Grandma Lindsey began diligently telling the famous tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and the Woodcutter and the Monster Trucks.
Quarantine birthday parties are no fun
The kids and I made some models with a block of really old air-dry clay. We made: some shapes to paint into unicorns, dinosaurs and ladybirds; some tiny fairy houses; a couple of pinch pots; and two Olaf snowmen. Lots of mess but also lots of fun.
Never trust a four-year-old an iPad
At some point during the day, James sneaked off to play with my iPad. No idea how but there are a lot of selfies as evidence, and some are even quite good!
Welcome to our art gallery: we have rainbow paintings, window drawings and decorated rocks
The kids requested rainbow painting as the morning’s activity. Despite the water being poured all over the table and floor, and Genevieve having to be constantly reminded not to spray or flick the paint, I do think they enjoyed it.
Catapults aren’t just for Dennis the Menace
We attempted some garden time but, once James had watered his sunflowers, the kids decreed it was too cold for them and wanted to stay inside. So we watched the Lego Ninjago movie instead while I had a much needed snooze.
Rainbow sharks, apple crumble and a temperature spike
Megan and the children got creative in the kitchen. Apples were sliced, spiced and cooked, and a bowl of crumble topping was mixed together – what a treat. Megan and I have a difference of opinion when it comes to the ideal crumble to filling ratio (I prefer a thinner layer and tarter apples), but…
It turns out that 300-piece jigsaws aren’t suitable for six-year olds
Stephen and I had a bit of an emotional heart-to-heart about what we’d do once he was better. Kids being kids, this was soon interrupted quite unexpectedly and unceremoniously by Genevieve who came bursting in wearing false glasses, nose and moustache. You couldn’t make it up!
An egg-stremely egg-citing day of chocolate egg-cess
Easter Sunday wouldn’t be complete without an Easter egg hunt. It was greatly enjoyed (although there was some bickering about who found the next clue), especially when the end was reached and lots of eggs were located.
We can’t go to the beach, but a paddling pool is nearly as good
I took the opportunity to do some doodling while the kids were in the pool. It was sadly short lived as they were more intent on emptying the pool of water and spraying it all over me rather than playing with it nicely. Joy.
Joe Exotic may be Tiger King, but Stephen is definitely Tiger-Toast King
I had a parenting win by remembering to put sun cream on both children, but this was swiftly followed by a fail as I missed James’s neck as well as myself entirely. Oh well. You win some and you lose some.
When you can’t leave the house you appreciate the small things (like Easter eggs the size of your head)
The day started with the kids joining me in bed. It was actually really lovely (mostly) although James kept playing with his willy (aren’t boys delightful) and then both kids tried to lick my face. Apparently it’s hilarious – you should try it.
The great self isolation bake-off, a cheeky singing lesson and garden games
James had a singing session with his preschool on Zoom. He really enjoyed it and I’m pretty sure he didn’t work out that none of his little buddies could hear all the cheeky things he was saying!
The day we went into double-lockdown
The kids were spying over the fence at the new neighbours and one was sunbathing. Cue Genevieve asking if she could “lie down in the sun like that lady over the fence”. This was said at full volume in the garden for all (including said woman) to hear. Classic.
The school holiday begins… but how do we tell the difference?
It feels as though the days are like a constant conveyor belt sometimes. But then, that’s how life is when you’re that small. One activity after another. Never ending. So glad I have lots of chocolate in the fridge.
Don’t put me in a box (unless it’s part of an epic box fort)
The BBQ was nearly a disaster. I had three open bags of charcoal with just the dregs left in the bottom – I foolishly lit the BBQ using only these dregs. Of course, all the small bits of charcoal just burnt through exceedingly quickly and left very little heat to cook on. What a rookie…
Put another shrimp on the BBQ
Stephen was really thrilled when I hatched a plan to keep him upbeat during lockdown. Every Saturday has become BBQ day. He is so happy.
Friday funday – sort of…
And just like that (except not really), week 2 of home schooling was over. It is now theoretically the Easter holidays. Except I don’t think it’s going to feel any different.
Thursdays are not for the faint-hearted
Genevieve decided she wanted to write how to draw a rainbow. This small and fairly simple task turned into the challenge of my day. It was definitely akin to getting blood out of a stone.
April fools? Not us!
After lunch James had a preschool Zoom video meeting to sing songs. Trouble is 14 preschoolers don’t understand the idea of only one person talking at a time. Pretty entertaining to watch. The singing was enjoyed.
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