Big Shot Brooches

At the end of the felting session the girls from craft club got a chance to play with the Big Shot, putting shapes together with a brad to form a brooch.

Simple but fun!

 

Fun with Felt!

This half term we have been felting in craft club. Felt for me is a little bit of magic and never fails to impress. To begin with they were reasonably unimpressed but went with it, we started with simple felt balls, and it was so much fun to see their expressions change as the balls changed in their hands from a ball of soft squidgy wool to a felt bead.

So we then moved on to felt pictures, they loved both the process of building up a picture and then felting it.

They were amazed by it changing size, shape and texture, and for me the acid test of any craft - they wanted to take them home to show mum!

 

 

 

 

And I had fun too!

 

When you wish there was a guidebook...

Parenting is tough, every day we make decisions on behalf of our children. As babies most of these revolve around eating or sleeping, as they grow decisions of discipline and schooling, hobbies, sports, secondary school, options, university. The list is endless! It would be so much easier if there was a book "The definitive guide to Sophie" but there isn't, we base our choices on our relationship with the child and hope and pray that we at least get the big ones right! But more and more lately I have become aware of just how judgemental we can be as a society, of all parents but particularly of difficult children, children with issues, children with special needs!

As Rebecca has grown so have her challenges, and for me the realisation that we would have to fight to get the help she needed. Next term we face the challenge of getting her an educational health care plan, in order to release funding for a TA to assist her, as she prepares to move to secondary school and the challenges that lie ahead when she reaches year 7.

2016 Already!

So as I face a busy term I thought I'd catch up with my blog, only to discover a list of blogs waiting for photo's to complete them before uploading, so here's what I was upto last term, as for this term - I think it will be a case of wait and see!

Comberton Village Show

Last year, new to the village we entered the children into a couple of the classes at the village show, and enjoyed seeing all the exhibits on the day. Though it must be said we completely underestimated how serious such events are! The children wanted to stay right to the end ( we are often the last to leave places! ) and so were present for the prize giving. Sophie had wanted to know how you won trophies, so we explained the points and that the child with the most points got a trophy. " I'm going to get it next year" she declared to which our reply was probably a non committal we'll see!

So when the brochure dropped on the mat this year the kids were on it, the fact it was a busy weekend just before our holiday didn't seem to worry them! Lists were made and plans drawn up, this time they were going for it big time! Several items were started in the middle of packing.

 

Some items they had already made as homework projects, and some such as the photos were taken on holiday.

But on our return with just over a week to go after our holiday there was a lot to do if the were to complete their plans!

Sophie was a girl on a mission and worked really hard to get all she wanted done, in fact we didn't quite finish her list, the vegetable rocket and fruit bird were abandoned! But finally getting her in to bed at 9:30 the night before the shown it was clear she had done all she could. In fairness the other two worked really hard too, and I was really pleased that not only had they produced good items, but that the things they had made reflected their personalities.

 

So Sophie managed 13 exhibits! ... And yes she won the trophy!

It was a great lesson in determination!

So next year we can take it easy ......

 

Oh no ...Now she needs to keep the trophy!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love hurts...

I am by nature a problem solver, a fixer, contingencies stacked up in my head for every conceivable crisis but some things just can't be fixed, they cannot be made better they must simply be endured.

This summer my sister-in-law died from cancer, too young and too soon, the pain and heartache could not be fixed it could not be made better. Grief must take it's course, the pain from losing someone you love cannot be removed even by the kindest words and yet those words bring comfort, we weep together and hold on to each other through the storm.

The Sunday after we lost her was so hard, but activities put out for the children - chalk and a piece of sugar paper were for me the way to find that peace, to put expression to the pain. Gods love will win through, His peace amidst the storm, and for those who have to continue the journey, hope because death is not the end.

 

Carol is at peace now - her suffering over - her battle won.

 

 

Tea party!

Rebecca requested a mid - week party this year so that her friend who is unable to do weekends could come. Mid-week is not the best time for a full blown party so we chatted through the options, and essentially came down to a small group of friends coming to tea.

Rebecca loves being in owl class so chose Owls as her theme, which gave lots of opportunity to be creative!

Rather than games the girls were sent on a treasure hunt - it followed the form of a story, with Ginger a little pink and brown owl, looking for some friends....

Each clue had a problem to solve - a crossword, riddle or code and held a challenge for the girls to complete.

They made some paper friends but they were no good in the rain!

So they made some clay friends but they weren't very cuddly!

Eventually after wraps, and ice cream factory ... The clues led them to some cuddly owl cushions....

Each cushion had a pocket containing a journal

It was just lovely as the evening came to a close sitting with the girls as they filled in bit of their journal together.
It was very different to parties we have had in the past but it was great fun and just right for a 10th birthday!