So, here we are, a good couple of weeks into the new school year, and I've just been hit with the realisation that my original 'babies' are now in secondary school! Does this make me feel old? Well I'm off to superdrug for a pack of hair dye!
I'm very lucky to still be in touch with many of the children I used to childmind for - even though I now live 180 miles away. I love to find out that they've had fantastic school reports, or see new photos of them in their school uniforms. Some have got new siblings, a new home, new school.
So many different children have passed through my home(s), and I have fond memories of all of them. Each and every one has had an impact on my life and I feel honoured to have been a part of theirs.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
New Children
This morning I had a visit from a possible new child. A beautiful little baby girl.
Always lovely to meet new children and watch then explore my home and the toys. Introducing new children can be difficult for parents - the thought of handing over their child to a new person for care, when they have often been the only people the child has been alone with before. Often much more nerve racking for the parent than for the child.
Children generally settle quite easily - especially if they have had 'settling in' sessions before, to give the child and minder the opportunity to get to know each other before the care officially starts.
I received some new goodies today too! A whole host of kitchen toys - play kitchen, dish washer, ironing board and microwave! Looking forward to seeing them played with.
Always lovely to meet new children and watch then explore my home and the toys. Introducing new children can be difficult for parents - the thought of handing over their child to a new person for care, when they have often been the only people the child has been alone with before. Often much more nerve racking for the parent than for the child.
Children generally settle quite easily - especially if they have had 'settling in' sessions before, to give the child and minder the opportunity to get to know each other before the care officially starts.
I received some new goodies today too! A whole host of kitchen toys - play kitchen, dish washer, ironing board and microwave! Looking forward to seeing them played with.
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Parks
Soooooo glad we have so many fab parks around our town. I have two very energetic boys who really need space to work off their energy.
Most of today was spent outdoors. This morning we took our camera out to start an 'Our Littlehampton' project. This is where the children take phots of things/places in Littlehampton that are important to them or that they particularly like - and they have to say why. One of the more surprising ones today: sainsbury's car park - 'I like looking at the red and white and other colour cars'.
As we had our kiddizoom camera out, we also took some silly pics of each other.
After lunch we strolled round to a park where we spoent a good couple of hours. The children spent time at the play area making some new friends and also had a game of football.
I also managed to find time to put in an order for more craft supplies - particularly looking forward making suncatchers!
Most of today was spent outdoors. This morning we took our camera out to start an 'Our Littlehampton' project. This is where the children take phots of things/places in Littlehampton that are important to them or that they particularly like - and they have to say why. One of the more surprising ones today: sainsbury's car park - 'I like looking at the red and white and other colour cars'.
As we had our kiddizoom camera out, we also took some silly pics of each other.
After lunch we strolled round to a park where we spoent a good couple of hours. The children spent time at the play area making some new friends and also had a game of football.
I also managed to find time to put in an order for more craft supplies - particularly looking forward making suncatchers!
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Loving the weather
It's really great for us childminders, that the weather is good at the minute. It means we can get out and about more easily and with more options. I'm just like the kids, in that I get cabin fever if kept indoors for too long.
Today we were able to get our fresh air and exercise fix at Brookfield park. Lots of space to run around and play football, a good couple of contained play areas, and a basket ball court for the older ones. Could do with a few more benches though, lol.
While playing with various toys (cars, meccano, lego, magnetix etc), we listened to audio books. The favourite was most definately a 'Horrid Henry' one, but we also enjoyed 'The Enormous Crocodile' and 'Astrosaurs'.
Craft activities today included sticking different brightly coloured materials on black card - some lovely creations to take home to parents.
Today we were able to get our fresh air and exercise fix at Brookfield park. Lots of space to run around and play football, a good couple of contained play areas, and a basket ball court for the older ones. Could do with a few more benches though, lol.
While playing with various toys (cars, meccano, lego, magnetix etc), we listened to audio books. The favourite was most definately a 'Horrid Henry' one, but we also enjoyed 'The Enormous Crocodile' and 'Astrosaurs'.
Craft activities today included sticking different brightly coloured materials on black card - some lovely creations to take home to parents.
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Calm down, calm down!
Will admit to feeling a tad tired after the day we've had.
The boys were clearly tired... and fighting it. So a fair amount of crankiness (is that even a word?) and a tantrum or two.
We put the tent up in the garden, thinking we could do some calmer activities in there... but it didn't keep them occupied for long, lol. The children went from toy to toy this morning, seeming unable to settle at anything for long and getting frustrated with it. They finally managed to focus long enough to set up a train track on the decking. Really well constructed and they were very pleased with themselves.
This afternoon the boys had perked up enough to go to the park, so we went to Lion's Den again (their choice) taking spades this time so they could build in the big sand pit there.
That seemed to be enough to wear them out, so when we came home we snuggled up with a movie (Ice Age 3). Suitably re-energised we finished the day with a few goes at Dance Juniors (a new game for our house but definately looking to become a firm favourite).
Here's hoping we all have a good night's sleep and wake up full of energy tomorrow!
The boys were clearly tired... and fighting it. So a fair amount of crankiness (is that even a word?) and a tantrum or two.
We put the tent up in the garden, thinking we could do some calmer activities in there... but it didn't keep them occupied for long, lol. The children went from toy to toy this morning, seeming unable to settle at anything for long and getting frustrated with it. They finally managed to focus long enough to set up a train track on the decking. Really well constructed and they were very pleased with themselves.
This afternoon the boys had perked up enough to go to the park, so we went to Lion's Den again (their choice) taking spades this time so they could build in the big sand pit there.
That seemed to be enough to wear them out, so when we came home we snuggled up with a movie (Ice Age 3). Suitably re-energised we finished the day with a few goes at Dance Juniors (a new game for our house but definately looking to become a firm favourite).
Here's hoping we all have a good night's sleep and wake up full of energy tomorrow!
Monday, 8 August 2011
Great day back!
Really fun day back today.
The boys thoroughly enjoyed playing with the new 'shop', complete with electronic till, scales and scanner. Although don't think I'll be buying my groceries from them with the prices they charge!
Lots of paper aeroplane making, free drawing and cutting.
We also looked at finding ways to protect our tomato plants and flowers from the snails that have taken a liking to them.
We spent a good couple of hours down at Lion's Den Park, where the boys went on the zip-wire, swings, large climbing area and dug tunnels in the sand (note to self, must take spades next time!). We then took some photos at the bench.
After lunch a den was made for our teddies, and we then had a 'Dance Juniors' contest! Thankfully I have no photos of that!
All in all a very good fun day back, and looking forward to tomorrow.
The boys thoroughly enjoyed playing with the new 'shop', complete with electronic till, scales and scanner. Although don't think I'll be buying my groceries from them with the prices they charge!
Lots of paper aeroplane making, free drawing and cutting.
We also looked at finding ways to protect our tomato plants and flowers from the snails that have taken a liking to them.
We spent a good couple of hours down at Lion's Den Park, where the boys went on the zip-wire, swings, large climbing area and dug tunnels in the sand (note to self, must take spades next time!). We then took some photos at the bench.
After lunch a den was made for our teddies, and we then had a 'Dance Juniors' contest! Thankfully I have no photos of that!
All in all a very good fun day back, and looking forward to tomorrow.
Saturday, 6 August 2011
holiday almost over
2 weeks holiday almost over and now getting ready for monday's children.
My 2 weeks have been busy - with a very funtastic few days at Alton Towers, but also a more stressful and anxious few days with my mum in hospital.
So, menu and activity planning to do, paperwork to sort (oh the joys), ready to have lots of fun on monday!
My 2 weeks have been busy - with a very funtastic few days at Alton Towers, but also a more stressful and anxious few days with my mum in hospital.
So, menu and activity planning to do, paperwork to sort (oh the joys), ready to have lots of fun on monday!
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Birthday Brownies
Friday 22nd July
An early start today, decorating the house to celebrate a 5th birthday.
We all baked brownies in the morning - very busy, fun and messy, just the way the best activities are!
Yummy gooey chocolate brownies made, and off we went to the best park in the area, with a big sandpit and play equipment for children from toddlers to teens - there are so few parks that cater for all ages, and this one's fab!
Worn out children, so a birthday movie treat - we all settled to watch 'How to train your dragon'.
Free play choices today included transformer toys, lego (not a day goes by without lego!), outdoor play and train track.
Suitably refreshed, so a trip into town and another visit to a park before taking one of our gang for his swimming lesson.
2 weeks of calm now, as children are all on holiday, so back in 2 weeks.
An early start today, decorating the house to celebrate a 5th birthday.
We all baked brownies in the morning - very busy, fun and messy, just the way the best activities are!
Yummy gooey chocolate brownies made, and off we went to the best park in the area, with a big sandpit and play equipment for children from toddlers to teens - there are so few parks that cater for all ages, and this one's fab!
Worn out children, so a birthday movie treat - we all settled to watch 'How to train your dragon'.
Free play choices today included transformer toys, lego (not a day goes by without lego!), outdoor play and train track.
Suitably refreshed, so a trip into town and another visit to a park before taking one of our gang for his swimming lesson.
2 weeks of calm now, as children are all on holiday, so back in 2 weeks.
Thursday, 21 July 2011
1st day of the holidays
Lots of fun all round on the first day of the school holidays.
The weather could have been better, but even with the rain we managed a trip a local park. The children played football and played on the play equipment, and I joined them in a game of basketball.
The children enjoyed getting messy making hand prints with paints and also went on to paint patterns and faces on paper plates.
We planted out tomato plants (yes, I know, a bit late) and ran off some energy in the garden.
Lots of free choice play throughout the day in between our activities, with lego and the castle particular favourites today.
Finally we enjoyed a trip to the library where we chose a dozen books to take us through the holidays. When we got home I started to read 'The Wooden mile' to the very tired children!
The weather could have been better, but even with the rain we managed a trip a local park. The children played football and played on the play equipment, and I joined them in a game of basketball.
The children enjoyed getting messy making hand prints with paints and also went on to paint patterns and faces on paper plates.
We planted out tomato plants (yes, I know, a bit late) and ran off some energy in the garden.
Lots of free choice play throughout the day in between our activities, with lego and the castle particular favourites today.
Finally we enjoyed a trip to the library where we chose a dozen books to take us through the holidays. When we got home I started to read 'The Wooden mile' to the very tired children!
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Last day of the school year.
Mixed emotions about this.
My son is, of course, very excited about being on school holidays, but he has had a fabulous teacher this year and is going to miss him a lot.
And so, tis action stations tomorrow, school holiday fun!
My son is, of course, very excited about being on school holidays, but he has had a fabulous teacher this year and is going to miss him a lot.
And so, tis action stations tomorrow, school holiday fun!
Welcome
Welcome to my new blog. My first ever blog in fact!
This has been set up to document the day to day experiences we have at 'the happy house'.
Our laughs, activities, outings - and yes, sometimes frustrations.
Photos of children (other than my own) will NOT be used, and nor will identifying remarks. Confidentiality will be maintained at all times.
The content of this blog will be regularly updated and checked, but if any reader should spot any information that they feel to be inappropriate I would ask that you please contact me immediately.
This has been set up to document the day to day experiences we have at 'the happy house'.
Our laughs, activities, outings - and yes, sometimes frustrations.
Photos of children (other than my own) will NOT be used, and nor will identifying remarks. Confidentiality will be maintained at all times.
The content of this blog will be regularly updated and checked, but if any reader should spot any information that they feel to be inappropriate I would ask that you please contact me immediately.
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