It has been a while since I wrote one of these posts where I share some of the things my family is enjoying.
I bought this book at a fabulous childrens bookshop we discovered in Melbourne when we were there back in June. I remembered seeing it being read on a youtube clip, and immediately thought that it would be great for Toby. We gave it to him for his birthday and he loves having it read to him. I love the way that it encourages him to engage with language, and to really listen to the words. If we try and change the words at all, Toby immediately corrects us.
My crochet obsession continues, unabated. I’ve had a go at some little slippers for Hannah, but really need to adjust the pattern. I’m continuing on my second ripple blanket too. I may or may not have to put another order in for some more wool soon!
We love an audio book around here. They make car trips so much more enjoyable, and the kids frequently just listen to them while playing Lego or drawing. Unfortunately they also like to listen to them over and over (and over) again. I know all of Roald Dahl’s books by heart! I picked this Faraway Tree audio book up in Melbourne too, and it is definitely nice to hear some new stories. I love Kate Winslet’s voice, which is just perfect for this classic English story. We have also just got some Harry Potter (read by Stephen Fry), which is also proving to be popular. I’ll be throwing a new audio book into each kids’ Christmas present this year too, to expand our collection further.
I bought Meg a beginners sewing kit for her birthday last month, together with a couple of fat quarters of fabric. Hannah already had a sewing kit, so both girls have been enjoying making different things with their fabric. Most recently they have made shoulder bags (quivers) to put the arrows they have made for their home made bows and arrows (made with sticks and elastics). They wander around the farm with their quivers on their backs and the bows over their shoulders looking like either Robin Hood or Katniss Everdeen (depending on your point of view). Over the school holidays, they both stayed with my parents for a few days, and my mum showed them some basic sewing skills. Meg made herself a pillow case out of dinosaur fabric.
I’ve been using the Colourfy app in my spare moments to do some ‘colouring in’. All the designs are styled for adults and there are lots of different palettes of colours which you can unlock by sharing your finished designs. I kind of need a stylus for my phone to make it easier and more comfortable, but it is definitely almost as fun as doing real colouring in, but with added portability.
The kids enthusiasm for Minecraft continues unabated. Meg was given two of the books for her birthday, and then bought the other two at her school’s book fair. All three kids have been poring over them, and have decided that they need to write their own book because these books don’t give enough detail or something (I really don’t know what!). I’m loving that they are so enthusiastic about something and that they are working collaboratively and creatively. I have a feeling that Minecraft might be here for a while yet!
What have you been loving lately?
I love that the girls made quivers for their arrows with their new sewing kits. That’s gold, Jo. Super cool girls. x
I know! I love it too!
I read that book to my class the other day! Did you know the author was the writer and actor from the US version of The Office? Honestly, I can’t think of anything more valuable than reading to your kids. I used to read The Faraway Tree to mine when the were little too.
I didn’t know where I had seen him before, now I do:) We re all avid readers in our house, for which I am very glad!
I am a knitter although I can crochet. I have been doing simple but effective beanies and shawls which are the equivalent of your colouring in. Counting stitches is meditative in times of stress. My middle son was given an handmade and illustrated pillowslip when he was five. He is now forty. It still is on his bed, a link to the past.
we used to listen to books on cassette when my boys were small, Jukes Verne was very popular.
I will have to find some Jules Verne for the kids, I think they would enjoy him!