Rather a late addition, but we’ve had a hectic few weeks, so, despite my tardiness, I thought it was worth doing! As is our usual half term treat, we’ve had a few days in France skiing. F picked up where she left off last year using parallel skis and beginning to lift her ski when turning. Cc enjoyed the experience of a French Creche and, in between getting them to and from lessons and creche, we even fit in a bit of skiing, nicely combined with food and drink!
Meet:
Friends and family! We have two fabulous girls, and with the elder, I made sure I went to every baby class, met lots of other new parents through various classes, nurseries, schools etc, so by the time the second came along I sort of felt I already had an army of people to talk to, mull things over with, drink wine with (you know who you are!) But it’s started…the dreaded 3 year old birthday parties. Being a teacher, I’ve never been one to throw myself into these as I get enough of 30 children constantly talking at me, asking things, etc every day (I do love it really!) and learnt a while ago that it’s the same price to pay someone else to do it and tidy away the mess as it is to do it yourself.
So, with trepidation, and a sudden realisation that Cc’s birthday was fast approaching, I decided to bite the bullet and host the party at home, making the effort to invite children she plays with at nursery, mainly as a chance to get to know the mums better after it dawned on me I may be very lonely in the playground in a few years time! And I’m really pleased I did it. Not only did she have a brilliant time, thoroughly enjoying the attention and being able to answer the door and invite her friends into her own home, but I actually had the opportunity to chat to others, see how they were finding things at the moment, at this particular age, share stories, whinge about nursery parking and generally, get to know a few people, with whom I can now chat and talk to if I ever bump into them at the nursery gates! And I’m actually looking forward to going to more parties so I can get to know them better, something I never though I’d hear myself saying!
And don’t forget to have a go at making your own cake, even if it does look like you’ve had one too many vinos whilst decorating it and have given Peppa conjunctivitis! Your little one will love it!
Make:
February saw a family run business, Yes Bebe, run a themed month called #yesbebeatoz, whereby you had to set up little educational invitations for your children. Yes Bebe are a company I’ve come across fairly recently and, although being mercilessly ribbed on their babble Facebook group at Christmas due to an embarrassing oversight on my part (who knew the Nativity traditionally only has one representative shepherd rather than the ‘primary school’ 3?!), I love their ethical and open ended approach to play. Customer service is second to none and the range of products is fab too. Anyway, I digress. I was meant to be telling you about the invitations to learn!
Each day of February was give an alphabet letter, interrupted by Chinese New Year for a couple of days to eke the 26 letters out to the full month! Every day, ‘babblers’ set up an invitation to learn for their little ones and posted on fb or insta. I began the month well and Cc really enjoyed having little play scenes to interact with each morning. She developed speech, number recognition etc. and, as a busy mum, it also actually encouraged me to sit with her to talk and help and suggest ideas.
A is for … Abacus
I set up some beautiful Grapat mandala pieces alongside a number line. We used language such as longest, shortest, more and less and, of course, used it to count, recognise number shapes, and conserve number.
F is for … Friendship
This is a wonderful Grimms Mobile Home, which both girls continue to fight over when it’s out. I added some friends and we used them to role play little situations and talked about being kind, playing together, taking turns, etc.
I think my favourite, though, was the Grimms Rainbow Dragon I made for Chinese New Year! This was more an ’invitation to play’ rather than learn, but inspired just as much fun pretending to be dragons!
Search for #yesbebeatoz over on insta to find more ideas!
Munch:
Over the last few months, we’ve had literally tens of new restaurants open in Chelmsford: Some independents, some bigger chains, but there is now a vast range and choice. Therefore, when I met my friend for lunch, we were overwhelmed as to where to go, but opted for Wagamamas as I hadn’t yet tried it out. In fact, I hadn’t been to Wagamama since visiting a central London one many, many years ago! I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. The food was very, very tasty, especially the fried squid balls, if let down a little by rather slow bar service.
I’ve actually been back with the family since and, again, service was not great…food waited around before being brought meaning it wasn’t piping hot on arrival, and I had to ask several times for glasses of water. The food itself, again though, was very tasty.
Oh, and I couldn’t leave the ‘Munch’ sections without letting you know about an amazing French food market we found in Beaune … the photographs speak for themselves! Just yum!
The Chimney House 