Sparkle and train

This weekend I needed to prepare for another crafting session in school. My own children are always crucial in the preparation. We run through it and I can learn about timing the activity and what is appropriate for each age group. It really helps.

Except this weekend the children didn’t really want to play ball. We have one week of school left and they are tired. Suddenly playing with a box full of blue packaging and walnut shells was more exciting. Plenty of playtime for all three of the children with this box. It was lovely to hear them playing together so nicely, but what about my craft activity!

In the hope of tempting them away, I put down cardboard to protect the table and pots of paints for my craft activity. TF took one look at the table. He decided to mix paint and use the packaging wotsits to paint the cardboard. Hmm. Loved his innovation, but it was not my craft activity. The girls chose to walk the dog instead. No one wanted to join me. I can take a hint. I started it by myself.

I sat down quietly, painting and sticking. Wrapped up in my design. Eventually TF sat beside me and joined in. Then the girls returned and picked up paintbrushes. And then their father. Looking up from my painting, I realised that the whole family was joining in. Bringing their own ideas to the table. I took note and adapted the project that I’m taking to school. More importantly, we all had fun. Together.

And yes, it does involve lots of sparkles. Even more than I had planned, but it’s a theme at the moment.

Just to add to the festive theme this weekend, we travelled on this train today and saw Father Christmas. We enjoyed it so much last year, that we did it again. It didn’t let us down. Eating mince pies and sipping hot chocolate, while watching the Quantock hills seemingly amble past the train windows was wonderful. Oh, and the children enjoyed the trip too.