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!

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.

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!

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.

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!