tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80889428879285634662024-02-20T12:22:08.455+00:00Adventures @ PlayCreative ideas for children and their parents.Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-58654792425232721282011-12-05T18:26:00.000+00:002011-12-05T18:26:40.659+00:00Make a Christmas Cake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgku_9SdRVjp_ZAdq7usE_BzBlEGqVVqMMjwUxBxSZ8jMrfWEfapj-kExDTkBrGWmTsvO__ktGTVf_hY65dfFRANHyWzjE8EXwbwzZdnMUrKGQikQZsxhfE06HYTGcjeddXlZzGpyy3HRfE/s1600/DSCF0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgku_9SdRVjp_ZAdq7usE_BzBlEGqVVqMMjwUxBxSZ8jMrfWEfapj-kExDTkBrGWmTsvO__ktGTVf_hY65dfFRANHyWzjE8EXwbwzZdnMUrKGQikQZsxhfE06HYTGcjeddXlZzGpyy3HRfE/s320/DSCF0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Everything's ready it's time to bake a most spectacular Christmas cake</div><div style="text-align: center;">Currants, raisins, sugar and spice will make it ever so nice</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cherries and nuts and almond paste,</div><div style="text-align: center;">These will give it a Christmas taste,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Everyone in the family must stir it twice!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A simple song I learned when I did my teaching practice several years ago and I always remember it when we make ours. Boy and I have done this together for the last three years, since he was 2 years old. I use a recipe which is a slight adaptation of Delia Smith's Rich Fruit Cake recipe from her excellent book 'Complete Cookery Course.' Here's the recipe:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">800g mixed dried fruit and peel</div><div style="text-align: left;">50g glace cherries (rinsed and chopped)</div><div style="text-align: left;">3 tablespoons brandy (optional - you can use cold tea if you prefer)</div><div style="text-align: left;">225g plain flour</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 tsp salt</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/4 tsp grated nutmeg</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 tsp mixed spice</div><div style="text-align: left;">225g butter</div><div style="text-align: left;">225g soft brown sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">4 large eggs</div><div style="text-align: left;">50g chopped almonds</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 dessert spoon black treacle</div><div style="text-align: left;">grated rind of 1 orange and 1 lemon</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The day before, weigh out all the fruit and mix in the brandy. Allow to soak overnight. Grease and line an 20cm round cake tin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplgssxAX6z8sjhxnYKtCdpQmhemqfw5s-IbPVCUMRdPE7OxOFgYMQa5XXpCxt-Sl7CCE6vNoExkJpLhnfNJbfPINcqZ6VHKTjR7qCX7LIDdAmcsCxmDfT8m7LqbH7BS4JLXgFow3M2UoX/s1600/DSCF0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplgssxAX6z8sjhxnYKtCdpQmhemqfw5s-IbPVCUMRdPE7OxOFgYMQa5XXpCxt-Sl7CCE6vNoExkJpLhnfNJbfPINcqZ6VHKTjR7qCX7LIDdAmcsCxmDfT8m7LqbH7BS4JLXgFow3M2UoX/s320/DSCF0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cream the butter and sugar by beating together until light and fluffy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZF6VRvmErReMejccph6wJCsYUjexQpwRWazz-aMf-u5EUczRtcudK-kYOl1dBtZytpmdTgguSuJZM3urDYjN2Eozudzs8EXmTmC5H2mQhloy8zUSbftORnygBk9q4Fv3aB4RjHAq614g/s1600/DSCF0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZF6VRvmErReMejccph6wJCsYUjexQpwRWazz-aMf-u5EUczRtcudK-kYOl1dBtZytpmdTgguSuJZM3urDYjN2Eozudzs8EXmTmC5H2mQhloy8zUSbftORnygBk9q4Fv3aB4RjHAq614g/s320/DSCF0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then add the eggs one at a time and beat into the mixture well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrj6FhCAI7mH6NIq9XwoeCiC07Qt1cyF5zU-bjQxD6T2PhB2ypkh-s7l6F6L3EjOBYsfk1ySPfBGe77Vf6JxpGgNYyINxAqaulhkgPFzFjM_I8AjPLQpvg5_3FFXDFY0T1rEltZWr9WS3I/s1600/DSCF0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrj6FhCAI7mH6NIq9XwoeCiC07Qt1cyF5zU-bjQxD6T2PhB2ypkh-s7l6F6L3EjOBYsfk1ySPfBGe77Vf6JxpGgNYyINxAqaulhkgPFzFjM_I8AjPLQpvg5_3FFXDFY0T1rEltZWr9WS3I/s320/DSCF0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then once all the eggs have been added you can fold in the flour, salt and spices a few spoonfuls at a time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1I4DUFkv-P5yKvCR-ov2Fri7S0hky1aLFu338GzFZLhQ0N-dITRr3JgduK53OI7BvySHX68s1J2cnqHfoBrlIILORTbZf4OouFJXHclPM_1Ihnol2F_eB5RA0DOzCveb11Ee-SwFgYgNn/s1600/DSCF0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1I4DUFkv-P5yKvCR-ov2Fri7S0hky1aLFu338GzFZLhQ0N-dITRr3JgduK53OI7BvySHX68s1J2cnqHfoBrlIILORTbZf4OouFJXHclPM_1Ihnol2F_eB5RA0DOzCveb11Ee-SwFgYgNn/s320/DSCF0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then you can add all the remaining ingredients and mix gently. Then spoon into the tin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakdKRsdB2Wd8yCy6XEUIzzmfbQ5Dx_j8DO0ZtRWEWPd7v015Z9-Edkh31Vxhlp-nKpyOK5oF0-XW7K9YAFiDw_mM_OfDZ6w235fR8Ikg9vPp8C8T7IWpjBPI0jJnheQZTngThFA0As1kt/s1600/DSCF0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakdKRsdB2Wd8yCy6XEUIzzmfbQ5Dx_j8DO0ZtRWEWPd7v015Z9-Edkh31Vxhlp-nKpyOK5oF0-XW7K9YAFiDw_mM_OfDZ6w235fR8Ikg9vPp8C8T7IWpjBPI0jJnheQZTngThFA0As1kt/s320/DSCF0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">You will need to protect the cake with a strip of brown paper or newspaper round the outside of the tin and then some paper over the top with a small hole to allow steam to escape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCuWr8wmVSiXYddR098hCyqulaXcZuFiCYgYcDuEah3-IDB_PtySBdHW5HlV-qpWJyCu1dJCx29pvKJ39eLsFSaSIrGn95B63fEqbdiFllq9d7qRbb88j2wOiT6iLW-ngociQ3C8SyK9B/s1600/DSCF0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCuWr8wmVSiXYddR098hCyqulaXcZuFiCYgYcDuEah3-IDB_PtySBdHW5HlV-qpWJyCu1dJCx29pvKJ39eLsFSaSIrGn95B63fEqbdiFllq9d7qRbb88j2wOiT6iLW-ngociQ3C8SyK9B/s320/DSCF0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bake in the oven at 140 degrees/Gas 1 for between 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours until the cake is a deep brown colour and is cooked through.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPYain_0vh3H36uHY2j2WzD8vRp4B40tgeR4jMGD4spxre56xg7fsVzPZhfjAXyrDsfNj8kRbUTEJyJutvOJ_hc_cemoubrCAupA4lID8KZ_EaGjHY2t05Lvugj1YFP4mD7gWNG7RsmUp/s1600/DSCF0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPYain_0vh3H36uHY2j2WzD8vRp4B40tgeR4jMGD4spxre56xg7fsVzPZhfjAXyrDsfNj8kRbUTEJyJutvOJ_hc_cemoubrCAupA4lID8KZ_EaGjHY2t05Lvugj1YFP4mD7gWNG7RsmUp/s320/DSCF0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once it is cooler you can take it out of the tin and let it cool completely. Then wrap it in layers of greaseproof paper and tin foil and put it in the cupboard for a few weeks to mature before you decorate it. Another post in a couple of week to show you how we decorate ours.</div></div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-74652865425375155112011-12-01T19:55:00.000+00:002011-12-01T19:55:06.630+00:00Frosty Paper Plates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfUIs0T4gLzuoX-OSjENPewfGMtYAT3hbdZTthDFRzWFOoCcqxy2ywmjkeCPVkFWRbD4b8tg92b1UMd5CDQghpExn6Sd-W-nYZjyOVNblTWPsW7JVY7uTGxyNPVjcZb2bQDmaenA2Ww-2/s1600/DSCF0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfUIs0T4gLzuoX-OSjENPewfGMtYAT3hbdZTthDFRzWFOoCcqxy2ywmjkeCPVkFWRbD4b8tg92b1UMd5CDQghpExn6Sd-W-nYZjyOVNblTWPsW7JVY7uTGxyNPVjcZb2bQDmaenA2Ww-2/s320/DSCF0043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Boy had a day at home on Wed and we decided not to waste the day. He spent 1 1/2 hours decorating paper plates with a winter theme. Girl joined in too, as did I. I put a selection of cookie cutters in wintery shapes out along with blue and white paints, glitter paint, and some bubble wrap for printing with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao47p7mjZ78ESFY9Aq05SsT-ZLqSeN8wWYbVeNLZht51VBRs1__QA4gcB-IabEFw5Al5vasKmCrc1NS85JyL-Am9zfTlV1wT48tGl86NmD6updWEnC9ML_RW1fmPrqS4Hs2V4o8YQr6us/s1600/DSCF0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao47p7mjZ78ESFY9Aq05SsT-ZLqSeN8wWYbVeNLZht51VBRs1__QA4gcB-IabEFw5Al5vasKmCrc1NS85JyL-Am9zfTlV1wT48tGl86NmD6updWEnC9ML_RW1fmPrqS4Hs2V4o8YQr6us/s320/DSCF0035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Girl enjoyed sploshing paint and glitter all over her plates. Boy went for more sophisticated designs using the cutters. He put down layers of blue paint and glitter and then used the cutters to put white shapes over the top.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xg68LYwPGmbrnjsFzpER_OeB5AalyMDConrinU35aR0WN8wwyBFkEREfnqth3A1xVO5-DD130bWqqPxAMD-mY8kRGW_Xi3-0Pu0uHNgNuOW_fgmB8iqluEZAjWD3i0VCtjAFbaGJ7j39/s1600/DSCF0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xg68LYwPGmbrnjsFzpER_OeB5AalyMDConrinU35aR0WN8wwyBFkEREfnqth3A1xVO5-DD130bWqqPxAMD-mY8kRGW_Xi3-0Pu0uHNgNuOW_fgmB8iqluEZAjWD3i0VCtjAFbaGJ7j39/s320/DSCF0040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then he filled in the shapes with paint.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Lwo8wmh-cg3jNr6YZaf2Dcr8gOkIQ8ChKSlUfA-wZb8EDFR1ggfAovoh8Bntdf3V-XM1XDwuz8MD8f75QAxRkDY7LHmK32NlTjzvZoVPUZg-yV4eZDCX8VqdjqhPhapC8VjcJyWK_jWW/s1600/DSCF0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Lwo8wmh-cg3jNr6YZaf2Dcr8gOkIQ8ChKSlUfA-wZb8EDFR1ggfAovoh8Bntdf3V-XM1XDwuz8MD8f75QAxRkDY7LHmK32NlTjzvZoVPUZg-yV4eZDCX8VqdjqhPhapC8VjcJyWK_jWW/s320/DSCF0046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Some good painting and fine motor skills developing here. The bubble wrap was fun to print with and made a lovely snowy effect against a blue background.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2a2l2nwV17LZPY6u5pri6EhqoB0vk9KeBqwkTlzsYNcJ-wv1K4_47mbF89nclG52ILjDIJLxH41imzg5j22Hg1u4zVXSiyIu1eChm805Qd9YB6xZ9OgMY4uo_EvS3ookI8FvEvH59lFF/s1600/DSCF0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2a2l2nwV17LZPY6u5pri6EhqoB0vk9KeBqwkTlzsYNcJ-wv1K4_47mbF89nclG52ILjDIJLxH41imzg5j22Hg1u4zVXSiyIu1eChm805Qd9YB6xZ9OgMY4uo_EvS3ookI8FvEvH59lFF/s320/DSCF0041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>These would look lovely hung up somewhere as Christmas decorations.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixP5zBvLVwSuJQ8HHzvK1D5kYf51lG5E0hkFEM8L845ayv8UzJuy1T5ZrHskGyglaWZ530rRbwIRH-ch8PL_96So6o1LedxhqcNhw_4NIepvTMH7LUyxQIplnMWxmYEB2g5xkQs4ZICp9/s1600/DSCF0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixP5zBvLVwSuJQ8HHzvK1D5kYf51lG5E0hkFEM8L845ayv8UzJuy1T5ZrHskGyglaWZ530rRbwIRH-ch8PL_96So6o1LedxhqcNhw_4NIepvTMH7LUyxQIplnMWxmYEB2g5xkQs4ZICp9/s320/DSCF0047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As the activity went on we talked about wintery weather, ice and snow. Later on we read 'The Gruffalo's Child' and boy read one of his reading books called 'The Snowman' from the Biff, Chip and Kipper series. We played some more with our <a href="http://mrsm-adventuresplay.blogspot.com/2011/11/snow-dough-and-stick-man.html">snow dough</a> (will post about that at a later date).</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-47006248352995561812011-11-27T21:43:00.000+00:002011-11-27T21:43:36.554+00:00Snow Dough and Stick Man<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDgxmdvzdO72lwdhhtzccWiCT9L5LS8fXi9fzg9uBOVOMxQyE5rtUyyo8REa9xlVkh1CEJMyNwbLUeiIG9fOh_6arcRClH0XVxZ2g4-1ulAmcydSQe9epLYa5zilx595KvU8A06u4laHh/s1600/DSCF0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDgxmdvzdO72lwdhhtzccWiCT9L5LS8fXi9fzg9uBOVOMxQyE5rtUyyo8REa9xlVkh1CEJMyNwbLUeiIG9fOh_6arcRClH0XVxZ2g4-1ulAmcydSQe9epLYa5zilx595KvU8A06u4laHh/s320/DSCF0056.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I have not posted for quite some time. My time has been taken up with other things lately and the blog has fallen down my to do list somewhat. In spite of that we have still been doing lots of things both at home and at nursery but I have just not got round to writing about them.<br />
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Anyway here is an activity I've prepared for our toddler group. We have spent the past two weeks looking at the ever popular 'The Gruffalo' and 'The gruffalo's Child.' This week is the turn of 'Stick Man.' Tomorrow we will be reading the story with the children and I have made some 'snow dough' for them to play with. I simply added white paint and some silver glitter to my usual dough recipe. I must confess the dough has a slightly different texture to normal, more spongy but still workable.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01w_sc93bDLT4sDUnSfkpxtKrtNjratGwJhxA7kEdvFX2hrQHRWsY89F-yAomESXmoQyiMEFDZ8bt2osFmIoe53MGRrjoFrOp7w1vMaODmKFGIkNtbdmMPS0ptvm2Y2-lsvNluWXZ9cWt/s1600/DSCF0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01w_sc93bDLT4sDUnSfkpxtKrtNjratGwJhxA7kEdvFX2hrQHRWsY89F-yAomESXmoQyiMEFDZ8bt2osFmIoe53MGRrjoFrOp7w1vMaODmKFGIkNtbdmMPS0ptvm2Y2-lsvNluWXZ9cWt/s320/DSCF0053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I made some stick men using twigs. I stuck googly eyes on them and painted a nose and mouth with paint. Plenty of wintery cookie cutters and the children can create whatever they want to.<br />
<br />
You could adapt this activity and get the children to make their own stick men for small world imaginary play. This is one of Girl's favourite stories so I'm hoping she'll really enjoy what we have planned for tomorrow!</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-24660936892562164772011-10-22T20:09:00.000+01:002011-10-22T20:09:51.950+01:00Playing with Scrap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF8_pxOd-Slf1xMU8cwVxhGamVXtIYJunWA9yEn1IejMJ9hS3cQOA3cj95GCYV6rXewwPrFEfQRPuYLrZzQrCiyFw_FcDDetvwCi4D7vFJS2P3sYv8_YZS-mQcVotsBFaNuLkyOEggxhP/s1600/DSCF0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF8_pxOd-Slf1xMU8cwVxhGamVXtIYJunWA9yEn1IejMJ9hS3cQOA3cj95GCYV6rXewwPrFEfQRPuYLrZzQrCiyFw_FcDDetvwCi4D7vFJS2P3sYv8_YZS-mQcVotsBFaNuLkyOEggxhP/s320/DSCF0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We visited our local scrap store 'Scrap Magic!' this week and came home with an interesting array of 'intelligent materials' to explore and play with. They have a great set up where you can fill a basket with reclaimed and recycled scrap materials for £1.50. We got pieces of rubber, paper clips, a wooden box, bottle lids, a bag of fabric pieces, a bag of wool, pieces of plastic, lengths of coloured cellophane and shiny paper, film canisters, large plastic spools, telephone bits and some tile pieces.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lgdN5AkEOEb7h24M_6APQgf3a8dCM-DkihCZhuu9314mRIe_4TZLdI1mSY6mMCJ8p1xmQl_rBftnMumFWrKTrSzDz9Jv4iG681VX70pqYDchiFOiiTqnuuy2ZKgbGtYJezWNULZmppLp/s1600/DSCF0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lgdN5AkEOEb7h24M_6APQgf3a8dCM-DkihCZhuu9314mRIe_4TZLdI1mSY6mMCJ8p1xmQl_rBftnMumFWrKTrSzDz9Jv4iG681VX70pqYDchiFOiiTqnuuy2ZKgbGtYJezWNULZmppLp/s320/DSCF0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We explored the objects and materials together and I let the children do what they wanted with them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nIYN-s8fnHWOu2_5z37lDePmSrpHQOJmtRqO7sDIjbcOASjidbCLqWclRV28UrxLMAI9mK7uaMvxhffhqZClqJ9cfGsFfRaBbsmBeFo-y-zuryInW31wLW5kgqfK6GPAeGO6e8v06Mgk/s1600/DSCF0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nIYN-s8fnHWOu2_5z37lDePmSrpHQOJmtRqO7sDIjbcOASjidbCLqWclRV28UrxLMAI9mK7uaMvxhffhqZClqJ9cfGsFfRaBbsmBeFo-y-zuryInW31wLW5kgqfK6GPAeGO6e8v06Mgk/s320/DSCF0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They made little tables and stools using the spools, plastic lids and film canisters.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4_yO351dGzYyvTI0w4SigB3HF9k7PSUW1D-PWJTX0-vXT6BX-1VCqQXgkyBIc4O4K9lgYwKo_LTwm9i2XWrhwbd2b9UyH2wXzXlHTQUAf8wiudnzG0q1qVN7lLzofRC_r-OT94Gj7za9/s1600/DSCF0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4_yO351dGzYyvTI0w4SigB3HF9k7PSUW1D-PWJTX0-vXT6BX-1VCqQXgkyBIc4O4K9lgYwKo_LTwm9i2XWrhwbd2b9UyH2wXzXlHTQUAf8wiudnzG0q1qVN7lLzofRC_r-OT94Gj7za9/s320/DSCF0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then they wanted to arrange bottle lids and rubber bits on top.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4Qu6qpg0C4dO3VB08KTypB3u_rCcRRUjg1CIXGWxmuEW8165GaqeC3tL39T5JNSo3r5KbvKMpEx4DAObNgdHfveRlugvskivn2IHB5D8ceeZJULpw193UZXJ_O81SVeumlR6D7FmEdtg/s1600/DSCF0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4Qu6qpg0C4dO3VB08KTypB3u_rCcRRUjg1CIXGWxmuEW8165GaqeC3tL39T5JNSo3r5KbvKMpEx4DAObNgdHfveRlugvskivn2IHB5D8ceeZJULpw193UZXJ_O81SVeumlR6D7FmEdtg/s320/DSCF0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Boy enjoyed turning a small sheet of tiles into a telescope!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVg9y9IlHAFtN3MXx5Tb684qZ9dP8ZLDAPEyQKRDHKlhUHTP0f_3E5TbZ1ARrprIHPbP_pqxHsKw89TQbM5wrjJtoAfHXJPZ1gQ68MvpwcpbmvJlp2ww-a_Meo0NGvWuzHTZ_3PCZlsWM/s1600/DSCF0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVg9y9IlHAFtN3MXx5Tb684qZ9dP8ZLDAPEyQKRDHKlhUHTP0f_3E5TbZ1ARrprIHPbP_pqxHsKw89TQbM5wrjJtoAfHXJPZ1gQ68MvpwcpbmvJlp2ww-a_Meo0NGvWuzHTZ_3PCZlsWM/s320/DSCF0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The paper clips were also popular and we got out a magnet and played with them using that. See if you have a scrap store near you and go and explore what you can use with your children. This kind of stuff has so many open ended play and craft opportunities and the children found it fascinating.</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-9824381903193595312011-10-08T15:43:00.000+01:002011-10-08T15:43:09.926+01:00Prehistoric Imaginary Play Kit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgtyt3n220lPppYnIgAk_xJwbOsP8pyQfceB0SVltvMpQJNf7VFAFQpfcY0Ge5JPLJ0cm9o4HjqAvBN6UIhxg2QLQQuqRvxHHsWx1CeiQoeAHEI6KiNER9SwEmq4LfashI_K91Y2wFHVC/s1600/DSCF0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgtyt3n220lPppYnIgAk_xJwbOsP8pyQfceB0SVltvMpQJNf7VFAFQpfcY0Ge5JPLJ0cm9o4HjqAvBN6UIhxg2QLQQuqRvxHHsWx1CeiQoeAHEI6KiNER9SwEmq4LfashI_K91Y2wFHVC/s320/DSCF0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Another young friend's birthday meant a new homemade imaginary play kit earlier this week. We had plenty of left over bits and pieces so we made a kit for Boy as well. This kit includes green and brown play dough, a tree cutter, mini dinosaur toys, plastic leaves (from the aquatics dept at The Range), a dinosaur story, and some small wooden logs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtQ_0XOJHYhGAithpo-vXdcWC1aBTyrSSv7tObD99mZ68JUi4fL4MEenPHpUzBqGYrl1tVVY0P1oKEBJguUq6TfhrtTZucwfyhC6VbsD23cOwnvbBTLmISswVQzm-c4lDT6yEicfBGt8U/s1600/DSCF0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtQ_0XOJHYhGAithpo-vXdcWC1aBTyrSSv7tObD99mZ68JUi4fL4MEenPHpUzBqGYrl1tVVY0P1oKEBJguUq6TfhrtTZucwfyhC6VbsD23cOwnvbBTLmISswVQzm-c4lDT6yEicfBGt8U/s320/DSCF0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLt3V8knDfFYYEIZvt3rrKvK8CpFM-li2XjIVkawOa8WpPVW4bDon4ABdF-cXqpvH0ly92pGtxsu0skJ7utHst1rgtVHkJYULksjOJP3z3jgemHRlMJ4aRjPKow0gJFUw2lDffbNzFoJnk/s1600/DSCF0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLt3V8knDfFYYEIZvt3rrKvK8CpFM-li2XjIVkawOa8WpPVW4bDon4ABdF-cXqpvH0ly92pGtxsu0skJ7utHst1rgtVHkJYULksjOJP3z3jgemHRlMJ4aRjPKow0gJFUw2lDffbNzFoJnk/s320/DSCF0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Boy was very excited by the idea of this 'dinosaur dough.' We put it onto a small tray and he sat down one evening this week with it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBJdNHYByiKljPM-ngOuqAjsvf-tC5dOv49anzjqY-bn-nDZp1hs-teiGWOx3PxO48L7wVlgvdvltxzzr2oza-u641zmZnHDU-l2EaPyWgvmVlgf0-HMssrRez8plKWnnL6MdRq40ezuJ/s1600/DSCF0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBJdNHYByiKljPM-ngOuqAjsvf-tC5dOv49anzjqY-bn-nDZp1hs-teiGWOx3PxO48L7wVlgvdvltxzzr2oza-u641zmZnHDU-l2EaPyWgvmVlgf0-HMssrRez8plKWnnL6MdRq40ezuJ/s320/DSCF0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>First he made bases for some 'trees' using the plastic leaves.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilurEXzgU4-qtjRIdX5QIUy9n0A3N1X_7Jq-3zWGYnFoE2eCCZHwCOh_6h8ZH5-Ws8YA8wi9EiGoISdO8g03eCccJsiwtRntNur8BNToHLQeXmudXxfPq8bMiiDjVCFpGzNv20btTZ4skC/s1600/DSCF0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilurEXzgU4-qtjRIdX5QIUy9n0A3N1X_7Jq-3zWGYnFoE2eCCZHwCOh_6h8ZH5-Ws8YA8wi9EiGoISdO8g03eCccJsiwtRntNur8BNToHLQeXmudXxfPq8bMiiDjVCFpGzNv20btTZ4skC/s320/DSCF0022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then he used the dinosaurs to make prints in the dough.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvx8O7lA7kAjd34in5NaEhoGiFtpGABTo3BhCmM8FnR20Zlcn4HTteEv-vHa_6dQwsjUuj_CtmnrVwCxNE_UDgHJuMhhr1F08nHWRgpa1NYiVfTzT52yO63yTfnSxDDLt8H6dossOCPg7/s1600/DSCF0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvx8O7lA7kAjd34in5NaEhoGiFtpGABTo3BhCmM8FnR20Zlcn4HTteEv-vHa_6dQwsjUuj_CtmnrVwCxNE_UDgHJuMhhr1F08nHWRgpa1NYiVfTzT52yO63yTfnSxDDLt8H6dossOCPg7/s320/DSCF0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then he made this small world scene using all the resources on the tray.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoAFp-vG1nNEn3HB4J7L4VF0ljct_ORmx7VHZvYm__1pL2EJSKGGeEUvvwSEpAGtgTbwstzMIQwN5LWIOqLdld9KYwfdI9ojh4T2oSQtoIC2BXwBhVeE0agSV9HC9PeSed37jzrmdzXbZ/s1600/DSCF0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoAFp-vG1nNEn3HB4J7L4VF0ljct_ORmx7VHZvYm__1pL2EJSKGGeEUvvwSEpAGtgTbwstzMIQwN5LWIOqLdld9KYwfdI9ojh4T2oSQtoIC2BXwBhVeE0agSV9HC9PeSed37jzrmdzXbZ/s320/DSCF0050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We're looking forward to getting this kit out again later this week. We may make some extra dough to go with it so the play can be extended a bit.</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-2572466402579060782011-10-05T19:52:00.000+01:002011-10-05T19:52:59.301+01:00Make a Harvest Loaf<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYvg7LGVumHsy5gCJ_VgcFeb7Cft8m-V99sshjcsVp2OFFK9KcFXIgl4BqRrPT7ALYg5NTWfax2B-ZfksXqoPuocAf1-MH_kDC6XC5swX_59POraUoGRFgy3B7ptNiJW9nvGrtNLMnnRl/s1600/DSCF0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYvg7LGVumHsy5gCJ_VgcFeb7Cft8m-V99sshjcsVp2OFFK9KcFXIgl4BqRrPT7ALYg5NTWfax2B-ZfksXqoPuocAf1-MH_kDC6XC5swX_59POraUoGRFgy3B7ptNiJW9nvGrtNLMnnRl/s320/DSCF0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It's Harvest Festival at Boy's school tomorrow. He was ken for us to make a Harvest Loaf to take in as I had made one earlier in the week for the toddler group Harvest morning. Once you get going it's actually very simple and something children can help with.<br />
Ingredients: 750g strong white flour, 21g instant yeast, 3 tsp salt, 30ml olive oil. Put all the ingredients into a bowl and add 360ml water. Mix with your hands for about 3 mins. Then add a further 120ml water and mix for another couple of minutes. You will have quite a wet dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 mins until the dough is smooth on the surface and feels quite elastic. Put it back into the bowl, cover and leave for an hour.<br />
Once the dough has doubled in size knead it again for about a minute. You are now ready to shape it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZLqSTUdCYmyCqaqgwuut_jG-s-0a5wdYc68sicQ6lELn0N6ifVRro6p8nS_fHFyYe8VXjfwGE_PPGWrrhodSiLCm4ih60Eyc4-nZt03L9zMSLWsm1RoCy6ca3c84bH9FexsMneSVukO6/s1600/DSCF0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZLqSTUdCYmyCqaqgwuut_jG-s-0a5wdYc68sicQ6lELn0N6ifVRro6p8nS_fHFyYe8VXjfwGE_PPGWrrhodSiLCm4ih60Eyc4-nZt03L9zMSLWsm1RoCy6ca3c84bH9FexsMneSVukO6/s320/DSCF0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>First make lots of quite thin wiggly worm shapes. These will be the stalks of the corn. Arrange them onto the baking sheet so they are piled up into a bunch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IgOfkTAJ_m1iLBwQVf57xj9u_lcZmzW50VeTYMK_wc3ntU3lcSOE8pzf9E3OULLxBp3LMyMQwdkW_Ubmtx_IcChLH_MlW5EgzzPE2-1Q6HXZrGkcLs3BIFhzO4BUU9Tkqga03AFHroL3/s1600/DSCF0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IgOfkTAJ_m1iLBwQVf57xj9u_lcZmzW50VeTYMK_wc3ntU3lcSOE8pzf9E3OULLxBp3LMyMQwdkW_Ubmtx_IcChLH_MlW5EgzzPE2-1Q6HXZrGkcLs3BIFhzO4BUU9Tkqga03AFHroL3/s320/DSCF0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then we made some quite fat sausage shapes for the ears of corn and arranged these at one end of the stalks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYus8nrmGiYaoWz2F9ip-Ddg3c_c0qN9dLL2K4bI42J_Oc9qC-wULkTpbtak1xL15ih5nfA110HRsgyw__SijwrlVBhy6Pn1LD1xe7z3TR2ASFgn3iVtQBysISo53eRHfb2qk_JuM_ALy/s1600/DSCF0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYus8nrmGiYaoWz2F9ip-Ddg3c_c0qN9dLL2K4bI42J_Oc9qC-wULkTpbtak1xL15ih5nfA110HRsgyw__SijwrlVBhy6Pn1LD1xe7z3TR2ASFgn3iVtQBysISo53eRHfb2qk_JuM_ALy/s320/DSCF0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then we made a plait to represent rope tying the corn together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQljmlrx-5Vf_uptewyYKSgGlmUekTwjQDEQtU6l8uIZZXNtMYPKif_PshNzEeNolXV2KsoegKGYtF4Tb_MIwjQLQTFbQPVROfMlmFx7Q5ijnokU6t7qViFqDP8j-ZqtoXXuQi0ZrESvps/s1600/DSCF0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQljmlrx-5Vf_uptewyYKSgGlmUekTwjQDEQtU6l8uIZZXNtMYPKif_PshNzEeNolXV2KsoegKGYtF4Tb_MIwjQLQTFbQPVROfMlmFx7Q5ijnokU6t7qViFqDP8j-ZqtoXXuQi0ZrESvps/s320/DSCF0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then placed the rope around the loaf.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiI5h75aFAh-y1hAGWgIJK0AzRVLoTER1Pu-CyuhkWe7rAymUnjgH-33vbNa41WBHVXw9yOmcmg6u_kS9nRj_ZvHWkjkqI-Oh6tE0qpkRjLJZE9gCZsqo-mt-kAbVL7e9yastC9jtZVLc/s1600/DSCF0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiI5h75aFAh-y1hAGWgIJK0AzRVLoTER1Pu-CyuhkWe7rAymUnjgH-33vbNa41WBHVXw9yOmcmg6u_kS9nRj_ZvHWkjkqI-Oh6tE0qpkRjLJZE9gCZsqo-mt-kAbVL7e9yastC9jtZVLc/s320/DSCF0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then we used a pair of scissors to snip into the ears of corn.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h0fQtpjElkg2ur6UWjMBP_hyphenhyphen33XXVEi-13cpGKP0tTEdydsT2TFG4KRSiIwn9ja3zhTl54cymTogTop2uLOhYTFaTCoh0n3YvbWEL_NIkzPnYI4AtYrBAMJpXvDIdYJ0hzXpBkZfDkdo/s1600/DSCF0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h0fQtpjElkg2ur6UWjMBP_hyphenhyphen33XXVEi-13cpGKP0tTEdydsT2TFG4KRSiIwn9ja3zhTl54cymTogTop2uLOhYTFaTCoh0n3YvbWEL_NIkzPnYI4AtYrBAMJpXvDIdYJ0hzXpBkZfDkdo/s320/DSCF0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It's traditional to put a mouse onto the loaf so show that the harvest was plentiful and that there was spare corn to feed the mice. We made ours from a ball of dough, a long strip for the tail and two tiny ball for ears. The eyes are peppercorns.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhde_SaXNre0vZAdPv98Ep1RtDdMyMvoeQXipmTd4pBoo5nRXukvHYvLkFelXPv-o2ZExzR-bcrQxzNuRCIFgPuSosewVlr_eGbBBtWbIm-kHvVNMGKD5Y9h_WWJl2RYiHgN7mBYAQXzmZk/s1600/DSCF0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhde_SaXNre0vZAdPv98Ep1RtDdMyMvoeQXipmTd4pBoo5nRXukvHYvLkFelXPv-o2ZExzR-bcrQxzNuRCIFgPuSosewVlr_eGbBBtWbIm-kHvVNMGKD5Y9h_WWJl2RYiHgN7mBYAQXzmZk/s320/DSCF0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then turn the oven on to 180 degrees. Cover the loaf. When the oven is hot brush beaten egg all over the loaf.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyix2IcQneHpcQfnED_CAU3Q_xYrrhyphenhyphenzwg0HGTmEeBiSQxlFDv5byL4miPqywyE1Mwls_Yw2Fe0IumOf353VJzZ_yKBmsRVdTWxL8fkBUilVXNmMGJYhlth1yjNacBArK02QlbOW-HVrE4/s1600/DSCF0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyix2IcQneHpcQfnED_CAU3Q_xYrrhyphenhyphenzwg0HGTmEeBiSQxlFDv5byL4miPqywyE1Mwls_Yw2Fe0IumOf353VJzZ_yKBmsRVdTWxL8fkBUilVXNmMGJYhlth1yjNacBArK02QlbOW-HVrE4/s320/DSCF0021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then bake for 30-35 mins until it is a lovely golden brown colour.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLQ8MQVy1fsuaBStki7rJF8MVEVb32pjthPdnMdsMt6QKB9Yo7JAGOTGTpehoMnSRJn8byNfhMBhXP4fK73P1suIyF0ulvVrQgrzaOEjMmEjmzyPeneJ93MyJstWEQU9TimoFKaK9cAF6/s1600/DSCF0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLQ8MQVy1fsuaBStki7rJF8MVEVb32pjthPdnMdsMt6QKB9Yo7JAGOTGTpehoMnSRJn8byNfhMBhXP4fK73P1suIyF0ulvVrQgrzaOEjMmEjmzyPeneJ93MyJstWEQU9TimoFKaK9cAF6/s320/DSCF0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is a very traditional loaf to make. Farmers used to use the first of their harvest to make loaves and donate them to the church in the past but today you will sometimes see loaves like this one being used to decorate churches and schools as part of their harvest display. Happy Harvest!</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-22324795513379202632011-10-02T14:12:00.000+01:002011-10-02T14:12:09.976+01:00Mirror Fun!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgvlUQh6shRCIpWSHb7CdGkubJAZq7TANRsQxWBSwKJcXNA3CC16KyrgGuUdv1fKPQQ2Csezd-6bPFe1CFgjFcDKBAUpYH_ESW4Fh_TrXD_NvpMVjT8hbFydz4vAeVWCub4_PbtB-Yw9a/s1600/DSCF0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgvlUQh6shRCIpWSHb7CdGkubJAZq7TANRsQxWBSwKJcXNA3CC16KyrgGuUdv1fKPQQ2Csezd-6bPFe1CFgjFcDKBAUpYH_ESW4Fh_TrXD_NvpMVjT8hbFydz4vAeVWCub4_PbtB-Yw9a/s320/DSCF0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am planning a science and technology event for the families and children I work with at Little Champions in November. I've been dreaming up activities and exhibits and this weekend we went to buy some resources. One of things I've been planning is some mirror play. I got a set of 4 star shaped acrylic mirrors (four different sizes) for £3.49 at The Range. I also bought these colourful star shaped buttons for £1.25 from The Sewing Box at Halifax Borough Market. Boy was very interested in these items and so I agreed he could test drive them!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r7VWH06dvOrhDQwvg3VJY_mXMlGIn_Kkl4X0UDNT3Epln5tDEZAYPePuA_GJcv0zTZHjGyvNhQRaYpz_-lVMOpBWjCZ02785PTWjSnvNkJISF7GV0ysVNrD0udXDIPal2jqNc2W0m83o/s1600/DSCF0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r7VWH06dvOrhDQwvg3VJY_mXMlGIn_Kkl4X0UDNT3Epln5tDEZAYPePuA_GJcv0zTZHjGyvNhQRaYpz_-lVMOpBWjCZ02785PTWjSnvNkJISF7GV0ysVNrD0udXDIPal2jqNc2W0m83o/s320/DSCF0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He began using the buttons to make a pattern on the surface of the mirror. High levels of engagement and concentration here!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc05CNjIDmccWYc5EAC34lxuqihzvIKgxOIQM0pus03sxFfqYzYWzWfHdzgZAzcoQ2pSbJE-rpBLyqlArwOsCrixKskHy1kQET80jAxj8zrdvwPHnzNlX-7S6oswLvN3Kn77kxH_pxrfb/s1600/DSCF0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc05CNjIDmccWYc5EAC34lxuqihzvIKgxOIQM0pus03sxFfqYzYWzWfHdzgZAzcoQ2pSbJE-rpBLyqlArwOsCrixKskHy1kQET80jAxj8zrdvwPHnzNlX-7S6oswLvN3Kn77kxH_pxrfb/s320/DSCF0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At this point he wasn't interested in selecting different buttons for any purpose. He wanted to fit all of them onto the mirror as close to each other as possible. He finished and said 'look it's a jungle!'<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzR-K7mALUii2y5rHw3shE9i-rbgd-9Qupq1cWpKSSgFk8bHLCBdhu_G1u-t64NPfn5NfsRVWd0U_BMtxwyn6StnTNNTq8iTYsZd4DOV2YOd9ScgsDlyivIOZt9CvF-qzo_BTnXMFoCVhk/s1600/DSCF0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzR-K7mALUii2y5rHw3shE9i-rbgd-9Qupq1cWpKSSgFk8bHLCBdhu_G1u-t64NPfn5NfsRVWd0U_BMtxwyn6StnTNNTq8iTYsZd4DOV2YOd9ScgsDlyivIOZt9CvF-qzo_BTnXMFoCVhk/s320/DSCF0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Placing objects onto the surface of a mirror gives a really aesthetically pleasing result. It also gives children the opportunity to explore reflection. I plan to get some rectangular mirrors and tape two together and then stand them up so that you can see reflections in more directions. I had a go myself and Boy took some pictures of me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-4LY5rpSqvNGdLFSITYUw_RLrMSZnw82mmFhz2vZFQRFDUDpbNXexQvTUeAOSiXNNqIkS_5InP9TUT_BjMypFo3q_VLTxrRwkveshkjWhCu_xv1X9z0Kq_tq6VZhHMNC6LpkJijfBs8F/s1600/DSCF0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-4LY5rpSqvNGdLFSITYUw_RLrMSZnw82mmFhz2vZFQRFDUDpbNXexQvTUeAOSiXNNqIkS_5InP9TUT_BjMypFo3q_VLTxrRwkveshkjWhCu_xv1X9z0Kq_tq6VZhHMNC6LpkJijfBs8F/s320/DSCF0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here's my design.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1wXIn5zaZd1oIiYixsqMpl_-Obn8R6guGk4u1o2JLOQxozqJm7RX9rrKXS5rFb-s4zjA48NhX650FfbVaaa6jBnZ3qPR5-906qkOclQVJQW4Q7Yu3YCMGhyphenhyphenij5e-Hd9h1bUc8l1acVkh/s1600/DSCF0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1wXIn5zaZd1oIiYixsqMpl_-Obn8R6guGk4u1o2JLOQxozqJm7RX9rrKXS5rFb-s4zjA48NhX650FfbVaaa6jBnZ3qPR5-906qkOclQVJQW4Q7Yu3YCMGhyphenhyphenij5e-Hd9h1bUc8l1acVkh/s320/DSCF0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He noticed that I had been selective about the buttons I had chosen and he did the same. He decided to only use blue and white buttons at first and then asked if we had any more buttons. I got my box of spare buttons out and he chose some wooden ones from there to use as well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvbwtZjiibKJmwjPU7glz_mE_YrbPPQEgO9wFiHgPu_IbROuVwdeIyQlcRj1rDJmGTTPfARKKjbLc2AjY9AbPhcTGE1-RnZx2sHqewkzcs2mQuR00A5v3xFI4bic9-OqK2PwYDO5unXs9/s1600/DSCF0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvbwtZjiibKJmwjPU7glz_mE_YrbPPQEgO9wFiHgPu_IbROuVwdeIyQlcRj1rDJmGTTPfARKKjbLc2AjY9AbPhcTGE1-RnZx2sHqewkzcs2mQuR00A5v3xFI4bic9-OqK2PwYDO5unXs9/s320/DSCF0029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgN-5Rhjg97qGY28TiX6CnU2i6ymSZbnJxk5oSQL-ZUtvJV7paeZPJxodv-eVbkTAH-6ZGNTaXQNL5rKqRpVIU0kz5_koijAjDIPrMjKPx3c_sanMQJD_AVrSTzu-ax2pvrfDh6iQBzzRZ/s1600/DSCF0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgN-5Rhjg97qGY28TiX6CnU2i6ymSZbnJxk5oSQL-ZUtvJV7paeZPJxodv-eVbkTAH-6ZGNTaXQNL5rKqRpVIU0kz5_koijAjDIPrMjKPx3c_sanMQJD_AVrSTzu-ax2pvrfDh6iQBzzRZ/s320/DSCF0031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I asked him if he enjoyed this and he said 'yes because I'm in the pattern, behind it and I like that!' I really enjoyed doing this too and it was a great way of getting a child to really think and concentrate as it is so fascinating.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-20770815230979762592011-09-24T18:56:00.000+01:002011-09-24T18:56:33.109+01:00Sand & Surf Imaginary Play Gift<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB8U9XBo3IFVfe3QJYf55ybFUyLgKI5sSrj-x2NEAKaDCqR9qX7iD0IHucdfbXT8A9hv2FPFdaAO-T1XGpymqxKAxIpWZ06E-FVbUw6eqgXwRKHHfjUYeACGU4Fs-VLEB5-3CsSq0WUWg/s1600/DSCF0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB8U9XBo3IFVfe3QJYf55ybFUyLgKI5sSrj-x2NEAKaDCqR9qX7iD0IHucdfbXT8A9hv2FPFdaAO-T1XGpymqxKAxIpWZ06E-FVbUw6eqgXwRKHHfjUYeACGU4Fs-VLEB5-3CsSq0WUWg/s320/DSCF0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We have just returned from a friends birthday party so I am now able to share this idea for a birthday gift without it's recipient seeing it before opening it. I've been thinking about giving some homemade play dough to little friends for their birthday's for a while. I didn't want to just give the dough on it's own so I put a few different resources together on a 'sea' theme along with the dough. It's intended to be really open ended with scope for all kinds of play and to encourage creativity and the imagination. Here's what is included.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofqjRR3WVPBhewZBhHhkTJyWRYglNWHAW98d_blSAgItrhdKqzAtOLEcQyg2jT05UibDboF8zpIqR5lic3GzCHOICKs23y2pA0_ckpNKDm8GG3EAS3fTXJ5brCZJ7rze_XaOK74tgcKQl/s1600/DSCF0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofqjRR3WVPBhewZBhHhkTJyWRYglNWHAW98d_blSAgItrhdKqzAtOLEcQyg2jT05UibDboF8zpIqR5lic3GzCHOICKs23y2pA0_ckpNKDm8GG3EAS3fTXJ5brCZJ7rze_XaOK74tgcKQl/s320/DSCF0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The play dough is blue (added green and silver glitter) and yellow (added gold glitter.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ONBXv_7AVQO-sQJ5JrrNb5bUZyLlErLzFm42lHvRWUQID3eeYmMiMqhDx4shu-5uLijhKDrPgu0_f4u2qw4YthBA2-wGXX2okedSpRA7KWQTkapuC9CPTiOIYXAI4h-sAk-cRsXadEGH/s1600/DSCF0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ONBXv_7AVQO-sQJ5JrrNb5bUZyLlErLzFm42lHvRWUQID3eeYmMiMqhDx4shu-5uLijhKDrPgu0_f4u2qw4YthBA2-wGXX2okedSpRA7KWQTkapuC9CPTiOIYXAI4h-sAk-cRsXadEGH/s320/DSCF0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A boat shaped cookie cutter.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg316M_cd9KM4i_9U800LMpHgf-quJQbpS3Qh15OovG0SwsxyN7Y5sKiX89dMbho5zzKjlmPwizUyWH404B9dhfhJTc6JNdrZqwZHObYUDYmW9fY0d0EPjVypudS1tYKZVZnebXVvoccKXc/s1600/DSCF0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg316M_cd9KM4i_9U800LMpHgf-quJQbpS3Qh15OovG0SwsxyN7Y5sKiX89dMbho5zzKjlmPwizUyWH404B9dhfhJTc6JNdrZqwZHObYUDYmW9fY0d0EPjVypudS1tYKZVZnebXVvoccKXc/s320/DSCF0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Three small plastic tropical fish.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjSUBwvu0scL1p4gvxaTFEVg6fOgtadB23mzT9EJx_NziBPIbu2FVX-__UJ0x5KwKDGdNBPXFrDrHk7Nx4MTsE1fhZ62Ropv8J4hCGzl5GYGtrN-tr8m7xc-uI-nUNWLQCtcKDGYLaXkT/s1600/DSCF0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjSUBwvu0scL1p4gvxaTFEVg6fOgtadB23mzT9EJx_NziBPIbu2FVX-__UJ0x5KwKDGdNBPXFrDrHk7Nx4MTsE1fhZ62Ropv8J4hCGzl5GYGtrN-tr8m7xc-uI-nUNWLQCtcKDGYLaXkT/s320/DSCF0021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A selection of seashells. I also put in a small book about underwater creatures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaLsZTIGvQN7XpLkrh9RaptWiM9VUwCg1xjBCueWD3W-tJN4_jLzjXfRf0OFqv1hRtYafnc8OFY0hSv6tjmmV5iC4sM_-LUVhnmDZ5QyeW9oNxpVrhvCaaFiINeUV5znlAnjQXgzl62_G/s1600/DSCF0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaLsZTIGvQN7XpLkrh9RaptWiM9VUwCg1xjBCueWD3W-tJN4_jLzjXfRf0OFqv1hRtYafnc8OFY0hSv6tjmmV5iC4sM_-LUVhnmDZ5QyeW9oNxpVrhvCaaFiINeUV5znlAnjQXgzl62_G/s320/DSCF0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then I made it look attractive by wrapping the items in a cellophane gift bag and putting the dough into a kilner style jar. A blue ribbon and some blue paper to write a tag and it was finished! I think it's a lovely idea to put something like this together for a child's present. There are so many commercial toys on the market but it can be difficult to find something original that children can really explore and get creative with. I intend to make some similar ones on different themes for some more birthdays coming up. I'll post these once they're done!</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-48445555967021621362011-09-15T10:12:00.001+01:002011-09-15T20:56:57.914+01:00Autumn Antics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1LHsAdAy09NvrlZ-Eux9T2z7IeEkN3BGILWDGUhAtcEnk_ppnmBklVjlUG6a4DS_DhHCHr3Tr_D9i36ULEHisRjEqQyGvBdW0lW3Bo4MuJlhj7PwPSFpnIRcAUYva-AABuU98nmPeF-x/s1600/DSCF0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1LHsAdAy09NvrlZ-Eux9T2z7IeEkN3BGILWDGUhAtcEnk_ppnmBklVjlUG6a4DS_DhHCHr3Tr_D9i36ULEHisRjEqQyGvBdW0lW3Bo4MuJlhj7PwPSFpnIRcAUYva-AABuU98nmPeF-x/s320/DSCF0019.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that we walk to school and back every morning we have the perfect opportunity to collect some leaves on the way home. When you really start to look there are some amazing colours. We got home and I asked Girl what she wanted to do and she said 'play!' We narrowed it down to play dough so we made some in autumn colours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX27lEQJ0GxibTJdrr1b0X4StEDPNv7rS5dP6-rRwbt7U_ybqt1Fj0NrICyw1iAsfdTKhG1Ei4i2VExCxGj5OkHXHwhWExQK9K8MnYFm4PovQWVzBhAFjgr8QO-kBmlUWFEPXgmQlQIm6/s1600/DSCF0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX27lEQJ0GxibTJdrr1b0X4StEDPNv7rS5dP6-rRwbt7U_ybqt1Fj0NrICyw1iAsfdTKhG1Ei4i2VExCxGj5OkHXHwhWExQK9K8MnYFm4PovQWVzBhAFjgr8QO-kBmlUWFEPXgmQlQIm6/s320/DSCF0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She experimented with the leaves and seeds we had collected pressing them into the dough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9SGtTf6IUGMNyoUIKFtuLNgchlTTpRPoelQDp3cpvc5uXERvQcM05gEMwnk_FNskb-3yYNkYNSAATWPSiQK33BjKVdfVHqn-X6Qrxub-_jcNdfFd2jG224HfLY5dsfRZiagOs1UM9W5U/s1600/DSCF0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9SGtTf6IUGMNyoUIKFtuLNgchlTTpRPoelQDp3cpvc5uXERvQcM05gEMwnk_FNskb-3yYNkYNSAATWPSiQK33BjKVdfVHqn-X6Qrxub-_jcNdfFd2jG224HfLY5dsfRZiagOs1UM9W5U/s320/DSCF0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She used cutters to make prints on the dough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmnHxNJoEmnOyEkeQV9ImiG4OEhnK-DbVUF0vbscSsZ8cQsKq3w_IRJkfChM2NIhT2U8cXt6_V3qDBYP4-37jXqhpk4A0mvl3v__oSscEIrJ0KkOxChDn3URaFBD75YyNK2qEBwhdLOd5/s1600/DSCF0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmnHxNJoEmnOyEkeQV9ImiG4OEhnK-DbVUF0vbscSsZ8cQsKq3w_IRJkfChM2NIhT2U8cXt6_V3qDBYP4-37jXqhpk4A0mvl3v__oSscEIrJ0KkOxChDn3URaFBD75YyNK2qEBwhdLOd5/s320/DSCF0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The contrast of the colours of the dough against the leaves was particularly striking and we enjoyed comparing different combinations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdW-eYcJCSiR6jYmFi45RzhDSXQfWmUK9K-7GLQh8vA-K8iSqVR7dL2J4K6UxowdvRN4qM4wO_jWFp08BvfeeV9dLAhn9AUfmZfDUcEqxX8KsRpzV1lR1p6M3cwGqxHFs75mpgyP266K24/s1600/DSCF0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdW-eYcJCSiR6jYmFi45RzhDSXQfWmUK9K-7GLQh8vA-K8iSqVR7dL2J4K6UxowdvRN4qM4wO_jWFp08BvfeeV9dLAhn9AUfmZfDUcEqxX8KsRpzV1lR1p6M3cwGqxHFs75mpgyP266K24/s320/DSCF0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We found we could make some lovely prints too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosPLIY1W6JN7Z6GwwGxHrmaZMnuCAPQ_JQ_McNcxDSEFsMIH7LHa18CcOOu7xDGaWGO0SOhrAa3TRtk-7cbf-BzRt_TZ1CVrpAvlRAVrWIHgFkPyN32HAgpsN-TvhKfcAYBJWeGMkotvm/s1600/DSCF0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosPLIY1W6JN7Z6GwwGxHrmaZMnuCAPQ_JQ_McNcxDSEFsMIH7LHa18CcOOu7xDGaWGO0SOhrAa3TRtk-7cbf-BzRt_TZ1CVrpAvlRAVrWIHgFkPyN32HAgpsN-TvhKfcAYBJWeGMkotvm/s320/DSCF0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now we are on the lookout for other interesting autumn things to collect and play with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another great post on a very similar theme can be found <a href="http://nurturestore.co.uk/easy-no-cook-playdough-recipe-autumn-theme">here</a> at Nurture Store. </div><span id="goog_1945451216"></span><span id="goog_1945451217"></span></div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-10653772160341903742011-09-12T18:32:00.000+01:002011-09-12T18:32:59.422+01:00Easy Kite to Make<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's so very windy today and so we made a very easy kite this evening and tried it out. So simple all you need is a plastic carrier bag of any size and some wool or string. Tie one end of the string or wool to the handles of the bag and, hey presto, kite finished!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8bexz-C3ZhiDDq93b9xWUoeQrJ2yDuBvPtBDgenN5yx2heoi6LOJchCrHvC9Uv1STfvlyktFx7chJOYoCPI-Jo-iCH6cG3u24-T5-h7zM80IFGvl5KhDrySwAAUj4GoSixiPB70RKBKb/s1600/DSCF0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8bexz-C3ZhiDDq93b9xWUoeQrJ2yDuBvPtBDgenN5yx2heoi6LOJchCrHvC9Uv1STfvlyktFx7chJOYoCPI-Jo-iCH6cG3u24-T5-h7zM80IFGvl5KhDrySwAAUj4GoSixiPB70RKBKb/s320/DSCF0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Add some wind and you have a really easy activity which can spark plenty of questions about scientific topics such as weather, speed, flying, capacity. Besides which kites are loads of fun and there is something very exhilarating about the wind which children seem to enjoy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAl76_sSlzDG0m8_6Kbs9L1247pZRCfTcaIu32_jlisD0shKBnjxME3iFM9BAtmxAPpmCPhXzQVUAW-SuYfgB-2Jf-U9ZTinR4JgpHdFrofFfrz6z2u7-Pg8mRQ4GuX3zKFWcD6m3-w_AR/s1600/DSCF0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAl76_sSlzDG0m8_6Kbs9L1247pZRCfTcaIu32_jlisD0shKBnjxME3iFM9BAtmxAPpmCPhXzQVUAW-SuYfgB-2Jf-U9ZTinR4JgpHdFrofFfrz6z2u7-Pg8mRQ4GuX3zKFWcD6m3-w_AR/s320/DSCF0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr_Zx61_GQVvllNffU0SUHgaSvMThcGyhPiAJIa7s3AeSSaQp_QQ_mJjTx0TZm-KPj5lBafQMmLkWqxZkxZydtEF05Nbe4c8iUdKcPm7hZjT4qkjQLHdoyFeoSOLcMofA8ZrPrHFXf41R/s1600/DSCF0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr_Zx61_GQVvllNffU0SUHgaSvMThcGyhPiAJIa7s3AeSSaQp_QQ_mJjTx0TZm-KPj5lBafQMmLkWqxZkxZydtEF05Nbe4c8iUdKcPm7hZjT4qkjQLHdoyFeoSOLcMofA8ZrPrHFXf41R/s320/DSCF0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-83370945488513079702011-09-10T18:35:00.000+01:002011-09-10T18:35:57.509+01:00British Science Festival 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7DuIgJScT1jPZHtDoM0AhW4FIj4hJe8pENI_eSli89ufqoE53oW6s-re-Qm-LdhcgsBo0QWZppXiiFf4dPbeJa2sYm4xuhfJ7fVDYcgPLh_Yb7dd69OjYeMd7mRYezMc-CyVLTM23sUK/s1600/DSCF0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7DuIgJScT1jPZHtDoM0AhW4FIj4hJe8pENI_eSli89ufqoE53oW6s-re-Qm-LdhcgsBo0QWZppXiiFf4dPbeJa2sYm4xuhfJ7fVDYcgPLh_Yb7dd69OjYeMd7mRYezMc-CyVLTM23sUK/s320/DSCF0155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We visited two of the exhibitions at the British Science Festival this weekend. First 'Science in the Early Years' at Bradford University and then the BBC Bang Goes the Theory Roadshow. Both were brilliant!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyGQg_eptEDGMFzmmJYANwiynZG0_FPAv95faJV7nNk3ZjVaU1q3Fzc6R_RJqL6k5zp-EY7X2tbHbzHfEHRMqe_nMTl-Yg2S-V_2DNCrWbTXRUjgwhfkWmHKK3NbZet7dRT6nTgBLhasB/s1600/DSCF0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyGQg_eptEDGMFzmmJYANwiynZG0_FPAv95faJV7nNk3ZjVaU1q3Fzc6R_RJqL6k5zp-EY7X2tbHbzHfEHRMqe_nMTl-Yg2S-V_2DNCrWbTXRUjgwhfkWmHKK3NbZet7dRT6nTgBLhasB/s320/DSCF0140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We explored cornflour gloop and found that we could hit it with a hammer. They were even kind enough to give me this rather stylish lab coat so I really looked the part! We made slime by mixing pva glue and borax, we also did some experiments with red cabbage and dry ice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ss9klq5vfz_sP0HBJk91FuJazQRqaiHXMZhtgXDvwqIYZSRy2qmJfrt28FoG7f4a55OyOUK2rDfe1I1THx1wNlFMMAaeunyywWQCYndhyphenhyphen-ZGZ1nssxfiMheacw67aBWqD1qjxHlV1PD7/s1600/DSCF0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ss9klq5vfz_sP0HBJk91FuJazQRqaiHXMZhtgXDvwqIYZSRy2qmJfrt28FoG7f4a55OyOUK2rDfe1I1THx1wNlFMMAaeunyywWQCYndhyphenhyphen-ZGZ1nssxfiMheacw67aBWqD1qjxHlV1PD7/s320/DSCF0141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Boy was particularly fascinated by the dry ice!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_l36zYwPAifqmXKlrP871sjRVAi5QKM3TsS-XxK6LOjgHD7fd_9zlHUAjYxpHHJ6HEmdAnjecmDNp2HzIx_s4H5EiIAGaboHYWBMGpHzq0nUMVLaEKVDCTeDH4vARyM0wOfbbdBgVGFA/s1600/DSCF0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_l36zYwPAifqmXKlrP871sjRVAi5QKM3TsS-XxK6LOjgHD7fd_9zlHUAjYxpHHJ6HEmdAnjecmDNp2HzIx_s4H5EiIAGaboHYWBMGpHzq0nUMVLaEKVDCTeDH4vARyM0wOfbbdBgVGFA/s320/DSCF0143.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Then we moved onto circus skills. Boy was really interested in the diabalo and learned to spin plates.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rV-HhJQYhm6GRdryVmzQtWe50FY03sMfvFFqSegCk3nP7nPoRCR80w5NTFr-72kUbv6Fn2qhfor0-dncQJ74IHPM9qd-6dHzG2VU2jUDcg6wgB0dvMjr2_XYALX5ViuuZ6SDLfAsdEv7/s1600/DSCF0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rV-HhJQYhm6GRdryVmzQtWe50FY03sMfvFFqSegCk3nP7nPoRCR80w5NTFr-72kUbv6Fn2qhfor0-dncQJ74IHPM9qd-6dHzG2VU2jUDcg6wgB0dvMjr2_XYALX5ViuuZ6SDLfAsdEv7/s320/DSCF0149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NNBkl7OUdS5zJOWHob2mKvuo1wB89vw9-BvtVb-tLYRDLITmxcRyqUNq5S1PRGdBOn6HUWkH0NgqyHWQdvTmVx8tbqUtgwhi3b6STyuneX4b2R7CMp1nA5AiNazfRYBO3ro4C4zg0e34/s1600/DSCF0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NNBkl7OUdS5zJOWHob2mKvuo1wB89vw9-BvtVb-tLYRDLITmxcRyqUNq5S1PRGdBOn6HUWkH0NgqyHWQdvTmVx8tbqUtgwhi3b6STyuneX4b2R7CMp1nA5AiNazfRYBO3ro4C4zg0e34/s320/DSCF0152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFpe5GdElHD_lxI7I3M-hFcT9F5uybXRk4sx5p_1rs1cr14bJHzuBjJRrjMdE2JNWZ6sZy5U5LN-XmdWDDGlET4Ig3KQ0VHbDI3VcGyUpkMyb1u6AXEWUjUWzbHdH4s8QjKL3zssNINi3/s1600/DSCF0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFpe5GdElHD_lxI7I3M-hFcT9F5uybXRk4sx5p_1rs1cr14bJHzuBjJRrjMdE2JNWZ6sZy5U5LN-XmdWDDGlET4Ig3KQ0VHbDI3VcGyUpkMyb1u6AXEWUjUWzbHdH4s8QjKL3zssNINi3/s320/DSCF0153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Girl really enjoyed playing with the water and exploring magnets and natural materials.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-qmRi2gQM9nQKV4osANrAHP8NLeYlC8btCqEduvsRjjAuLWHYSTQ4AVGnE5Qtqli6lhZgtBQfP_0xRTtbx_Nvi6hTQUKfp-eG_ZchlW7Fdeyh9SeUWATjBMYl0Tgyw0DT4ObP8Aux22m/s1600/DSCF0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-qmRi2gQM9nQKV4osANrAHP8NLeYlC8btCqEduvsRjjAuLWHYSTQ4AVGnE5Qtqli6lhZgtBQfP_0xRTtbx_Nvi6hTQUKfp-eG_ZchlW7Fdeyh9SeUWATjBMYl0Tgyw0DT4ObP8Aux22m/s320/DSCF0156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Whilst Boy followed a recipe to make some very simple play dough with the help of one of the staff.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9pIV2ItPeTjpjiC0F6YKhyNMc_P9xtUcvh1IVHM0ofy_0q4RxDiFwvF_Pjh2InEFaZmStT3wZ2tgHcWk5v8jlBwfZxoQdu4Yx30KAQ1CLo1MuZONFhJ2rWiso1Pz1t4tU0qYwxyvIJZi/s1600/DSCF0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9pIV2ItPeTjpjiC0F6YKhyNMc_P9xtUcvh1IVHM0ofy_0q4RxDiFwvF_Pjh2InEFaZmStT3wZ2tgHcWk5v8jlBwfZxoQdu4Yx30KAQ1CLo1MuZONFhJ2rWiso1Pz1t4tU0qYwxyvIJZi/s320/DSCF0157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then we made a rocket and launched it using a foot pump. Brilliant!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09Sruqb8BKhBzjsLdavonWyPBertR8P_deentb2g482pJ4mcXwItDrx1Iv6L3soed24XY_Tj6cwkDKC61Wg67ZUAGXgU4IsUQAmjTQjXBoLB3fAg6GXX2mM-1rG98-lQFc-zIVj5tIrLE/s1600/DSCF0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09Sruqb8BKhBzjsLdavonWyPBertR8P_deentb2g482pJ4mcXwItDrx1Iv6L3soed24XY_Tj6cwkDKC61Wg67ZUAGXgU4IsUQAmjTQjXBoLB3fAg6GXX2mM-1rG98-lQFc-zIVj5tIrLE/s320/DSCF0158.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOsCVPVOlPPiSI49P3HCLyeDQpQYwlvfEwQNf2jjIB8AOybzdzKDiliPjHvw_3u6CI1brpwBUts7EbSvVJ8fuLj4QM_LnfmXRztGahxsnddzf-QyXr7vBO8Xg1nFpSSpSupx_EvcP7HG3/s1600/DSCF0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOsCVPVOlPPiSI49P3HCLyeDQpQYwlvfEwQNf2jjIB8AOybzdzKDiliPjHvw_3u6CI1brpwBUts7EbSvVJ8fuLj4QM_LnfmXRztGahxsnddzf-QyXr7vBO8Xg1nFpSSpSupx_EvcP7HG3/s320/DSCF0164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This was one of the best events for young children I have been to and it has given me loads of science based activities and ideas to try. Watch this space to see how we get on!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47onppcQuetF1WuPlTY_zVYtk7A-SLZCN-DucmA_rAl0_DREbUsWqQKt6Zr_1kY4rBUBJYuRF_BnViNCJJBoKZd-tdEM4qOCaWqYBFCxAcAypFQ9r4CWc-WQfqPXqwiXbYb970J1B_N4j/s1600/DSCF0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47onppcQuetF1WuPlTY_zVYtk7A-SLZCN-DucmA_rAl0_DREbUsWqQKt6Zr_1kY4rBUBJYuRF_BnViNCJJBoKZd-tdEM4qOCaWqYBFCxAcAypFQ9r4CWc-WQfqPXqwiXbYb970J1B_N4j/s320/DSCF0168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-81956776577539802792011-09-03T12:09:00.000+01:002011-09-03T12:09:35.976+01:00What I learnt from Potty Training<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">You may have noticed these past few weeks we haven't posted much. The reason for this is that we have been focusing our efforts on helping Girl to master using the potty. Our approach (for those who are interested) was to spend one week taking her to the potty every hour although she was still wearing nappies. Then after this she went into pants and we continued to take her to the potty regularly. This has worked really well for us and she is now confidently telling us when she wants to go. The whole process has taken only two weeks. Girl is 22 months old so by some standards she is quite young but has been very keen to do it and really initiated it herself. I'm not suggesting this would work in all cases. In fact, Boy was much later to toilet train and was really scared of the potty and refused to use it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eM48ckdwNCl_DD3-JWLLBvaYXFIjudAN4vaHqC3Qn-l0b7aypjVT1OnCI03vGKEAiGTNTE8z7XIxgTEq9iLE4ex0RpXCLOBQImijf7wDSEw4DIlVFm__X0eSl6PSP51tgDCEyQ8U4xbo/s1600/DSCF0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eM48ckdwNCl_DD3-JWLLBvaYXFIjudAN4vaHqC3Qn-l0b7aypjVT1OnCI03vGKEAiGTNTE8z7XIxgTEq9iLE4ex0RpXCLOBQImijf7wDSEw4DIlVFm__X0eSl6PSP51tgDCEyQ8U4xbo/s320/DSCF0030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Now to the title of this post. What I learnt from Potty Training. It has nothing to do with the potty. We do a lot of activities in our home. This is no bad thing of course. The children and I enjoy doing it and they are never forced to do anything. If they're not in the mood then we don't bother. However, these last few weeks we've done far fewer planned activities because all our energy has been on remembering to visit the potty at regular intervals. This has given the children much more 'space' and opportunity to play freely.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9uhhFFdKCitmMSloxuVbojFGp0hwllaxoj52ooKZHxdUW0AIem-eJneZ8kufTNIYp7wfvFF1sQrqIPEOX1FEXSPtp2YbZSBLfccLA5q3NRHc3foVFsnGwMJ9zDi2gMPBiYI7CCPf34Km/s1600/DSCF0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9uhhFFdKCitmMSloxuVbojFGp0hwllaxoj52ooKZHxdUW0AIem-eJneZ8kufTNIYp7wfvFF1sQrqIPEOX1FEXSPtp2YbZSBLfccLA5q3NRHc3foVFsnGwMJ9zDi2gMPBiYI7CCPf34Km/s320/DSCF0079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Boy has been 'reading' to his sister and some toys. They made picnics, played shops more, in fact, a great deal more role play than they would usually do and for extended periods of time. Girl has really shown far more interest in books and has been constantly bringing her favourites to me to be read to. As a result, her speech and language has progressed. I have found quite a few photos on the camera that Boy has taken (one below further down). He has been experimenting on his own without being directed or restricted.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPENOtvZgV-8IHq3Iq-vhUPEyDqFKCCVDU-BZE4gUHUsrXLXJABuPP-HPPGZn3ImBZyGIdoSHgc0WFpyVapGDu5wqTIeHksItb9PauBa2krwO8UaWbrLVXE0j8jC4v3tdehlHLHRoMTT_u/s1600/DSCF0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPENOtvZgV-8IHq3Iq-vhUPEyDqFKCCVDU-BZE4gUHUsrXLXJABuPP-HPPGZn3ImBZyGIdoSHgc0WFpyVapGDu5wqTIeHksItb9PauBa2krwO8UaWbrLVXE0j8jC4v3tdehlHLHRoMTT_u/s320/DSCF0073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>What I have learnt is that sometimes we can be so busy doing things that we don't always really watch what is going on with children's play. This was re-iterated to me earlier this week when I was having a conversation with our fantastic Nursery Manager Steph. We were talking about planning for a staff training session next week. We make use of flipcams at the nursery to assist in observing children. She had been looking back over some of the videos and had noticed that the vast majority of flipcam film observations are of children doing 'activities' rather than engaged in their own free play. This isn't that children don't play freely but just that adults are not observing them at these times so much.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPYpzI8FOuchbcV9BSOuttYn-8xdyM8jscTf_4fJIEreM2Gg54s_XtbfhqGIc62UEORW8wNvpp0n8wGt6w3dIVCOs7raHLQiPUUNlkEkGQ_e47H1x3R0lgOx0tmt2SzAqHy8xhNnWRX6B/s1600/DSCF0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPYpzI8FOuchbcV9BSOuttYn-8xdyM8jscTf_4fJIEreM2Gg54s_XtbfhqGIc62UEORW8wNvpp0n8wGt6w3dIVCOs7raHLQiPUUNlkEkGQ_e47H1x3R0lgOx0tmt2SzAqHy8xhNnWRX6B/s320/DSCF0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> It reminded me of the following poem 'Leisure' by William Henry Davies;<br />
<dl style="text-align: center;"><dd>What is this life if, full of care,</dd><dd>We have no time to stand and stare.</dd></dl><div> </div><dl style="text-align: center;"><dd>No time to stand beneath the boughs</dd><dd>And stare as long as sheep or cows.</dd></dl><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><dl style="text-align: center;"><dd>No time to see, when woods we pass,</dd><dd>Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.</dd></dl><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><dl style="text-align: center;"><dd>No time to see, in broad daylight,</dd><dd>Streams full of stars, like skies at night.</dd></dl><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><dl style="text-align: center;"><dd>No time to turn at Beauty's glance,</dd><dd>And watch her feet, how they can dance.</dd></dl><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><dl style="text-align: center;"><dd>No time to wait till her mouth can</dd><dd>Enrich that smile her eyes began.</dd></dl><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><dl style="text-align: center;"><dd>A poor life this if, full of care,</dd><dd>We have no time to stand and stare.</dd><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfSq1yPuIqKjcYGaVKTD33OsDqsk40uujop4-_PHPgYBGgJSOJ0trR4KS-xf3UXtxYO7cSkaN94kLVPMANcQGaDb_Yne8QHNbpzHabteiarf3NqejGzqVvPDkbiHffjS6n2Q4I2ucz36m/s1600/DSCF0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfSq1yPuIqKjcYGaVKTD33OsDqsk40uujop4-_PHPgYBGgJSOJ0trR4KS-xf3UXtxYO7cSkaN94kLVPMANcQGaDb_Yne8QHNbpzHabteiarf3NqejGzqVvPDkbiHffjS6n2Q4I2ucz36m/s320/DSCF0021.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><dd style="text-align: left;"> Our lives can be so busy. Toddler groups, nursery, activity classes, school, homework, visiting family, shopping. Our staying in the house for the past few weeks has enabled me to really just sit back and watch the children. Sometimes you don't need to be doing things with them, just be with them and let them involve you if they want to. It has been in these times of free play in the past that I have been able to identify when my children have been showing schematic behaviour and then I have been able to plan activities for them in line with this. Boy starts Primary School this week so the two children will be spending less time together from now on so I'm really pleased that they have been making so much creative play together in recent weeks. In fact, right now they are hiding behind a chair together, pushing the chair backwards and forwards together and laughing and smiling. So what I have learnt is simply to watch them more!</dd></dl><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-34382481194664382752011-08-22T20:57:00.000+01:002011-08-22T20:57:06.651+01:00Teddy's Wash Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZIuhNEXJrvXlayT2iu_RPFiGJuSn9tNI9n9iPbjpvxKDeUAHitEg4hioRHQMTiAvz8YjjvVXzb-A-Ub7uTZ1QkvOC7lEVFFE0BxEbKZosbAJa-8gzafu0tUm70AI67T-6zZk87Pxhe7p/s1600/DSCF0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZIuhNEXJrvXlayT2iu_RPFiGJuSn9tNI9n9iPbjpvxKDeUAHitEg4hioRHQMTiAvz8YjjvVXzb-A-Ub7uTZ1QkvOC7lEVFFE0BxEbKZosbAJa-8gzafu0tUm70AI67T-6zZk87Pxhe7p/s320/DSCF0067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We are taking care of Barney, the pre school bear, this week. This morning we decided that Barney's clothes needed washing so we headed out to the garden to wash his things.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT3_UQUc8TELpquuhx-vFBC2Ii42BNe_hGqHPOhSCWYkismrLCou7KBB0wIiSxurOZHZVrTT4LLte3hWe46z4RiEAdhw6V50r8HAm4S9obcqEErsUKupF1i6hZHqTe_pjuK-wHTGDSiHO/s1600/DSCF0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT3_UQUc8TELpquuhx-vFBC2Ii42BNe_hGqHPOhSCWYkismrLCou7KBB0wIiSxurOZHZVrTT4LLte3hWe46z4RiEAdhw6V50r8HAm4S9obcqEErsUKupF1i6hZHqTe_pjuK-wHTGDSiHO/s320/DSCF0064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Warm water and soap solution are all we needed. Both children had fun scrubbing his clothes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uofOOscpNhzsdS05gyB0jBcS3tazMWYUA1O6snE7N-8b5-40W9FMwEjroPkCQFFdTS5N8Nht4sI54qAlZnDB8cT8CoaVEaPWVqhWfQO0WcskHb8y30h7yqCueglw72W6Chb3Q357jFdP/s1600/DSCF0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uofOOscpNhzsdS05gyB0jBcS3tazMWYUA1O6snE7N-8b5-40W9FMwEjroPkCQFFdTS5N8Nht4sI54qAlZnDB8cT8CoaVEaPWVqhWfQO0WcskHb8y30h7yqCueglw72W6Chb3Q357jFdP/s320/DSCF0072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And then wringing them out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-DgH152uhd59_40HHbuLdlIsxlu9VA4pPSKNaKY1GqTgWRgI0vr3Y1GW_00GHGDdRV__OlG_zmecghRfe1Z0rByUn3cwYhXE5ERcasXxIREiqTlwn32bnOfIE_EW6E9_-xVUWYnDEFOL/s1600/DSCF0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-DgH152uhd59_40HHbuLdlIsxlu9VA4pPSKNaKY1GqTgWRgI0vr3Y1GW_00GHGDdRV__OlG_zmecghRfe1Z0rByUn3cwYhXE5ERcasXxIREiqTlwn32bnOfIE_EW6E9_-xVUWYnDEFOL/s320/DSCF0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then they realised they could use the clothes like sponges to transport water from the water tray to a watering can a few metres away.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcEz2sPiQ9SeSeh2kvCzXh8ToZ5xycyKixGdoF08SBHZPd6apdQSo_-REDWgOYRBlBLdEa3r89jlUSZjwsATBWzIDpazLC6AB4EkORcbtK6n5W_qxCggwwU-FBypqHYAigzx_-syBERWY/s1600/DSCF0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcEz2sPiQ9SeSeh2kvCzXh8ToZ5xycyKixGdoF08SBHZPd6apdQSo_-REDWgOYRBlBLdEa3r89jlUSZjwsATBWzIDpazLC6AB4EkORcbtK6n5W_qxCggwwU-FBypqHYAigzx_-syBERWY/s320/DSCF0070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonjo3SBZO3G21e9_sb4rrKhq_e_J2GRN7FF1p5FkcP3Zypc9fcA7i8LKXbDdfXkhez3dKKdZ2yNJEtJIzcx6_0kJ6uUuuV3_yU5jyOGSrGoxvRqVvtOlYtjDczOVnYbQoBe-7xYzlRJGG/s1600/DSCF0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonjo3SBZO3G21e9_sb4rrKhq_e_J2GRN7FF1p5FkcP3Zypc9fcA7i8LKXbDdfXkhez3dKKdZ2yNJEtJIzcx6_0kJ6uUuuV3_yU5jyOGSrGoxvRqVvtOlYtjDczOVnYbQoBe-7xYzlRJGG/s320/DSCF0071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then to throw water across the garden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mloHh5vbv9-UsGIa8eVqdCthfR9USABCSCiTSL0aWW4fD_XDX8uOjMk7RapAG1L7RRSin2Wr-lyRUCGEmYmJkRoNlzMtOneN18rmQ4RCG77qQt_RfZcm1SrDpcm0iT1q9u7VZjzXaNol/s1600/DSCF0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mloHh5vbv9-UsGIa8eVqdCthfR9USABCSCiTSL0aWW4fD_XDX8uOjMk7RapAG1L7RRSin2Wr-lyRUCGEmYmJkRoNlzMtOneN18rmQ4RCG77qQt_RfZcm1SrDpcm0iT1q9u7VZjzXaNol/s320/DSCF0074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then they hung them out to dry in the sun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgOsg301dcPD5d2KNKc3EsJMVHXG0sGIBOtzjmheNWVYDrMQj17eHAfU7cPi7E578wSr9HFe4GXywfnimNRTh_8BBn0ocU_hDgWgcbUuHwykXFqp1SDe-UiZtpLxNgV0ziEhgcJyPjKVp/s1600/DSCF0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgOsg301dcPD5d2KNKc3EsJMVHXG0sGIBOtzjmheNWVYDrMQj17eHAfU7cPi7E578wSr9HFe4GXywfnimNRTh_8BBn0ocU_hDgWgcbUuHwykXFqp1SDe-UiZtpLxNgV0ziEhgcJyPjKVp/s320/DSCF0068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Barney just sat and watched!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUVaLFXK3FUtZoC0aKVr8kBmKWCmbYi_zizJkbtznJX6__PXP5DiIuCyamRQ7uWCVaj83dFywEhdW6an2Dw4PoH5Qh1yMgYfAlUPoLPqIIN8ipWkYGesP94-EAKWcCdkprHCw8OjpsnFV/s1600/DSCF0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUVaLFXK3FUtZoC0aKVr8kBmKWCmbYi_zizJkbtznJX6__PXP5DiIuCyamRQ7uWCVaj83dFywEhdW6an2Dw4PoH5Qh1yMgYfAlUPoLPqIIN8ipWkYGesP94-EAKWcCdkprHCw8OjpsnFV/s320/DSCF0069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is something I remember doing as a child. Washing dolls clothes in the garden. Water play and role play combined.<br />
We are recording all the things we do with Barney to write into his book of adventures. Boy only has two weeks left at nursery before he leaves for good to go on to primary school so he's very keen to give Barney a great time. So far he's been shopping, played mini golf and helped to build some shelves with Daddy.</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-90571661747420561842011-08-20T18:31:00.000+01:002011-08-20T18:31:56.168+01:00Holiday Diary Scrapbook<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx0KLyQKUFA5bVVM6rCHN4gGFM6SOGHYVXUvcOBM_dq1GiSjuIA04vPtdLBT-y_77p326TkITiDpV3-c2boDqum0P_VHj0evUWPOBpDju_9LHmei3SRAN5BDY4y7GLdU7oeS8Hz0TmMOI/s1600/DSCF0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx0KLyQKUFA5bVVM6rCHN4gGFM6SOGHYVXUvcOBM_dq1GiSjuIA04vPtdLBT-y_77p326TkITiDpV3-c2boDqum0P_VHj0evUWPOBpDju_9LHmei3SRAN5BDY4y7GLdU7oeS8Hz0TmMOI/s320/DSCF0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>If you read our blog regularly you will know we recently went on a family holiday camping near Scarborough. Both children kept things from the holiday to make scrapbooks to record what they did. We finished them off this week after finally getting the photographs printed! I bought a cheap pack of exercise books and used two of these.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy67NSW7xH0_8o5qBL3yAwm59tI93nHgXYrCXUGRHE410Gr6JRvGutLiDBYgSzmVF3nB2WnrMpmQ-134gv-OqrEkbGj7H0jnPGk361MPJ2Lo8lmavwoEuyt9ycfPUGtB07v8qXiZFgfC9J/s1600/DSCF0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy67NSW7xH0_8o5qBL3yAwm59tI93nHgXYrCXUGRHE410Gr6JRvGutLiDBYgSzmVF3nB2WnrMpmQ-134gv-OqrEkbGj7H0jnPGk361MPJ2Lo8lmavwoEuyt9ycfPUGtB07v8qXiZFgfC9J/s320/DSCF0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We collected postcards, receipts, paper bags, leaflets, mini golf scorecards and took plenty of photos to stick in. Both children took their books into nursery to show their friends and to talk about their holiday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiiksRzlltOE_ltUuLjp9kPDRK9pubVXc4NsllBKXoQae1xvTpBs5ODA4aIt5__xzGh1AeJvLgj2a-AijhjAQohem_4mv9SH4gBGonKmwtEnnifywM-nfc1hFfU94XUPC01uszFYeBS-M/s1600/DSCF0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiiksRzlltOE_ltUuLjp9kPDRK9pubVXc4NsllBKXoQae1xvTpBs5ODA4aIt5__xzGh1AeJvLgj2a-AijhjAQohem_4mv9SH4gBGonKmwtEnnifywM-nfc1hFfU94XUPC01uszFYeBS-M/s320/DSCF0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfRiqY2J4EiFi9-Y0PaFwD2O2UiLYj4yV3r949aCmB8LeVFs1P4CAhV7H6Ymkq4k0qM5brkKwXY7Du6rUhNW3JDgdDIuI6Or21Y0iEQNLpLFi5KuckSNWIIeaajKFJjFIDUMO18kqg7ns/s1600/DSCF0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfRiqY2J4EiFi9-Y0PaFwD2O2UiLYj4yV3r949aCmB8LeVFs1P4CAhV7H6Ymkq4k0qM5brkKwXY7Du6rUhNW3JDgdDIuI6Or21Y0iEQNLpLFi5KuckSNWIIeaajKFJjFIDUMO18kqg7ns/s320/DSCF0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I wrote captions for some of the photos to add extra meaning. I asked Boy to describe somethings and then recorded his own words.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGEgCZt6RrzC8NeXHGTgMpjbHTZgu6AuNMwv97DmBHnQFF4pnPqaRW3xqEohbk5V7s02j6jtDw2ld5Dx7fQKp28Eq15MYAestk4p0cYJ-f10JGJJAtuaRmFRerPw3W8Mu7nWxv9vt7Wkd/s1600/DSCF0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGEgCZt6RrzC8NeXHGTgMpjbHTZgu6AuNMwv97DmBHnQFF4pnPqaRW3xqEohbk5V7s02j6jtDw2ld5Dx7fQKp28Eq15MYAestk4p0cYJ-f10JGJJAtuaRmFRerPw3W8Mu7nWxv9vt7Wkd/s320/DSCF0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPxyPLwqL8foBgA8QIA7yV6gagVu_NDWThypQoWRLVebyE-xSJSC98Ho0yhntfsZkUTBhsl2FbJuxhqHMuaRIaZHABy51p_f0r5usoX6Iq8MdJXFej86jJ31pG_l3gjp_qVJ8q42Eg0Az/s1600/DSCF0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPxyPLwqL8foBgA8QIA7yV6gagVu_NDWThypQoWRLVebyE-xSJSC98Ho0yhntfsZkUTBhsl2FbJuxhqHMuaRIaZHABy51p_f0r5usoX6Iq8MdJXFej86jJ31pG_l3gjp_qVJ8q42Eg0Az/s320/DSCF0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGbFJH9YPmBGjG0J9yi0IxxTRmgwvLSnDm-q1FLePvoBGJLQJ5Vhsw7ci0g5K7YQqb9lQk0cM2J3Nyj2cbsL4CFOlgw9gRMWLoY4bHiI8IL2o9Zg-Zs13BgAoYvPfVYvMmiNFcxvpTAc4/s1600/DSCF0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGbFJH9YPmBGjG0J9yi0IxxTRmgwvLSnDm-q1FLePvoBGJLQJ5Vhsw7ci0g5K7YQqb9lQk0cM2J3Nyj2cbsL4CFOlgw9gRMWLoY4bHiI8IL2o9Zg-Zs13BgAoYvPfVYvMmiNFcxvpTAc4/s320/DSCF0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is a lovely thing to keep and look back on in years to come. It was something to focus on whilst we were away, remembering to take pictures and collect things and stick them in. It also provided a great opportunity for the children to talk to their friends and teachers about their home life. Developing skills in literacy and speaking and listening too.</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-28460193391533965282011-08-18T07:56:00.000+01:002011-08-18T07:56:24.201+01:00Homemade Play Food<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5DKy-vK-RciaoQWCJZp30S1zy61iBee8cG7eVIiIugVsY1BhOGOrvhVmKpIFXBqfLiqgxCCEmVwYP1v3fBThXELVIn8ZVfgrPkOARDwcIjuP3MDrqkiRIc9lZ3FWGk40BtP-v4QSA5CD/s1600/DSCF0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5DKy-vK-RciaoQWCJZp30S1zy61iBee8cG7eVIiIugVsY1BhOGOrvhVmKpIFXBqfLiqgxCCEmVwYP1v3fBThXELVIn8ZVfgrPkOARDwcIjuP3MDrqkiRIc9lZ3FWGk40BtP-v4QSA5CD/s320/DSCF0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Having made salt dough models with the children at home the other day I made these pieces of play food in the same way. These are for the new shop role play area we are creating at nursery. We realised much of the play food was missing so I decided to make these. For the recipe for salt dough take a look at <a href="http://mrsm-adventuresplay.blogspot.com/2011/08/salt-dough-shapes.html">this</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOduVlDx5u3Ak4NEBVjs5m2tOiaqy1UUMIGNAkIPg6kre6_dRMnh15ISRIWy2Ot_tAT9nS7ES_ESfQfC3FGVkPCzu_qIZX-5R8aouWw2-vweeDc5jWmU9srr8E7p6fed9StMUqXN7BsBG/s1600/DSCF0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOduVlDx5u3Ak4NEBVjs5m2tOiaqy1UUMIGNAkIPg6kre6_dRMnh15ISRIWy2Ot_tAT9nS7ES_ESfQfC3FGVkPCzu_qIZX-5R8aouWw2-vweeDc5jWmU9srr8E7p6fed9StMUqXN7BsBG/s320/DSCF0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A selection of bakery items including jam tarts, biscuits, cupcakes, swiss roll and gingerbread men.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTBlb0h3Hn5QJCMK48VhIhEqns_Xlv1_pLfIy3-_Entv9l3S-73zeGFMvz-iLIWJNI4cLA4276LULmEXAXBHWd695-aYzoDQMYaeQ__1AytxdacoalYSgMdoST0UYzSjmEzfV8f5MrBMW/s1600/DSCF0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTBlb0h3Hn5QJCMK48VhIhEqns_Xlv1_pLfIy3-_Entv9l3S-73zeGFMvz-iLIWJNI4cLA4276LULmEXAXBHWd695-aYzoDQMYaeQ__1AytxdacoalYSgMdoST0UYzSjmEzfV8f5MrBMW/s320/DSCF0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHiQTJQV2MZkvWwbAuiDiADLDnYzf8sj7KgUKhwQINBe7ZM4_fYDVfkVZ4IyquUoDkS9ST7WILRudKpCgsnIcEBdms_XLx8kaO71xbE8BlqjJX08fOpCvGdwqwHSawFJdvzy2kFyGgoUF/s1600/DSCF0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHiQTJQV2MZkvWwbAuiDiADLDnYzf8sj7KgUKhwQINBe7ZM4_fYDVfkVZ4IyquUoDkS9ST7WILRudKpCgsnIcEBdms_XLx8kaO71xbE8BlqjJX08fOpCvGdwqwHSawFJdvzy2kFyGgoUF/s320/DSCF0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkyE2EM-Ijmt06X3Cld6TE5fAv7AmbqqrFIileSEOhjfB4aeN5EMU7ciiQshV-frnBtV75Rw5bw2XNI0iyJtQ08h2QRIi73fYmpJ18Jqw3CHVSJf41Ny9yQ9lblvB4shUayJFJnJ_P3DY/s1600/DSCF0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkyE2EM-Ijmt06X3Cld6TE5fAv7AmbqqrFIileSEOhjfB4aeN5EMU7ciiQshV-frnBtV75Rw5bw2XNI0iyJtQ08h2QRIi73fYmpJ18Jqw3CHVSJf41Ny9yQ9lblvB4shUayJFJnJ_P3DY/s320/DSCF0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35761BIb43UNN2L-eHRiGem5e-LtovkYGN3pNhSqnTw6GGyp7o6zV7DHdfOurFeX81MpQss2HwMx6cJ_uhRj8y-_B1PR64idT_0JirQ3qQBnOuSm3L-5ybmmPuIwRluGbK7mczPosIG5w/s1600/DSCF0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35761BIb43UNN2L-eHRiGem5e-LtovkYGN3pNhSqnTw6GGyp7o6zV7DHdfOurFeX81MpQss2HwMx6cJ_uhRj8y-_B1PR64idT_0JirQ3qQBnOuSm3L-5ybmmPuIwRluGbK7mczPosIG5w/s320/DSCF0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And some fruit and veg; apples, pears, bananas, tomatoes and potatoes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRPMRaVNiRGCKyIv3Jjq81PLN3S36Iee5sKTHod38fi5wdn3cp9hV9oODlcnHuIb9K3RAekaoKCh9VfBcCPRNsD-NwN9TuQvcgRUVuGERZ7UZPjGvdzWMi73BAfwr716b4918eqmSxisP/s1600/DSCF0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRPMRaVNiRGCKyIv3Jjq81PLN3S36Iee5sKTHod38fi5wdn3cp9hV9oODlcnHuIb9K3RAekaoKCh9VfBcCPRNsD-NwN9TuQvcgRUVuGERZ7UZPjGvdzWMi73BAfwr716b4918eqmSxisP/s320/DSCF0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtKzjZfdK_5Od-mEh1-rCj983ctssnu8WIlZTbUSZtD1yTmEmbIgjmwG7xam8u9P2hCqZ1L4JOXnWSM953QYgmBv4g4WcGvBOExlTJezOwwl07WnX362SiMJZaGXwojpispAB6Nrh7ceM/s1600/DSCF0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtKzjZfdK_5Od-mEh1-rCj983ctssnu8WIlZTbUSZtD1yTmEmbIgjmwG7xam8u9P2hCqZ1L4JOXnWSM953QYgmBv4g4WcGvBOExlTJezOwwl07WnX362SiMJZaGXwojpispAB6Nrh7ceM/s320/DSCF0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZFmXq3LbyTEGnZCqMLuHzk2J0tJPa2kC3WzEuseTZkRqmn5CLNQuGkJ3WZHeGzq-fSsKUGope9ROcX3h57BVZlVMdOPxVlE_w1VQiQINbnTuffpPuUZItkwLBcbDYZWiZlg3Cz1fSEng/s1600/DSCF0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZFmXq3LbyTEGnZCqMLuHzk2J0tJPa2kC3WzEuseTZkRqmn5CLNQuGkJ3WZHeGzq-fSsKUGope9ROcX3h57BVZlVMdOPxVlE_w1VQiQINbnTuffpPuUZItkwLBcbDYZWiZlg3Cz1fSEng/s320/DSCF0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz1hE18vXqXnZkgGjwPGd3fGU9ajuPwcta9or6sMCvL5ag_123h-gwfjLXNeVw3_6uddvM5XOabihP0tD2db8trlJR_ewy8QjnTa0oDiGbIAit5GhjbMOJGZp6WiHk0UdO2HqOMMAb_Qy/s1600/DSCF0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz1hE18vXqXnZkgGjwPGd3fGU9ajuPwcta9or6sMCvL5ag_123h-gwfjLXNeVw3_6uddvM5XOabihP0tD2db8trlJR_ewy8QjnTa0oDiGbIAit5GhjbMOJGZp6WiHk0UdO2HqOMMAb_Qy/s320/DSCF0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_1wcb2kDyd2CEQIXXGIv9BU9pZSnE4yza48KnKq2GBzxNw0qXEZzDlFiDN6ltD8073_VCUz8gTqoz9t-T7KpTgW5OATl8AnZKfalHErOAFy4IoBAJuWz3cPPFOUuLYXFLgzEdvXIo-w4/s1600/DSCF0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_1wcb2kDyd2CEQIXXGIv9BU9pZSnE4yza48KnKq2GBzxNw0qXEZzDlFiDN6ltD8073_VCUz8gTqoz9t-T7KpTgW5OATl8AnZKfalHErOAFy4IoBAJuWz3cPPFOUuLYXFLgzEdvXIo-w4/s320/DSCF0022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Obviously you know your children and if they are likely to put things in their mouths then this wouldn't be such a good idea. We will be using these with children 3 years and over. I painted them with ready made toxic free water based paint from tesco. I mixed the colours and it was fairly easy. The children helped me make some bread and pies yesterday at the nursery so our shop should be pretty well stocked by the end of today. I've also collected a few boxes (cereal, egg, toothpaste etc..) too! I really enjoyed making these actually, very cheap and easy too!</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-2431377251631124712011-08-17T19:54:00.000+01:002011-08-17T19:54:45.897+01:00Polystyrene Printing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">My husband was planning a trip to the dump last weekend and I wondered if we had any polystyrene left from packaging. I asked him and he said there wasn't anything. I intended just to save any we might get in the future put he came back from the dump with a car full of the stuff! He had seem a man getting rid of a load and asked him for it! We used it this morning for some printing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbyJw80TX469jWr-wZ-BesMnVe4tRC4LOpU_Yz2tBxgbD0ZGPiM8e6JKejcmfFkiLb2_ZEFoF1RZr0-T0xSq8ExN5Y4zgYPt60QsYDVc9koeWrQtNH0klwYhUm83Kvu1Z6YKL6IIuihEF/s1600/DSCF0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbyJw80TX469jWr-wZ-BesMnVe4tRC4LOpU_Yz2tBxgbD0ZGPiM8e6JKejcmfFkiLb2_ZEFoF1RZr0-T0xSq8ExN5Y4zgYPt60QsYDVc9koeWrQtNH0klwYhUm83Kvu1Z6YKL6IIuihEF/s320/DSCF0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuh4eUhi6ISjW6cLH4cM-BW40vYb2kZtRhygP8iDzu8DvJWqQg5hUXBfsFm4_Hcqlyp2tJnWlKVPpMeqKJtCFHTZxlvL-xhiwGrK1jaBP49ZnS0hVKIvVpaByMIorkVqK2CixQTrnrRBT/s1600/DSCF0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuh4eUhi6ISjW6cLH4cM-BW40vYb2kZtRhygP8iDzu8DvJWqQg5hUXBfsFm4_Hcqlyp2tJnWlKVPpMeqKJtCFHTZxlvL-xhiwGrK1jaBP49ZnS0hVKIvVpaByMIorkVqK2CixQTrnrRBT/s320/DSCF0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I cut it into hand sized chunks and away we went with all the different paints we have in the house.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdQaVRdiIM_xdk0vxOKOz8yd5WUAPl7DSonK0MGfPuRGMO7GD1guVwDG-spVJueeW6ZCYF8c7apx5AlGPNRw9ot8PgIGCzVYu-KoJ_SHhlXtAP9k4uIlijGfF5y43iSfOzOZ5wR_aTU5V/s1600/DSCF0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdQaVRdiIM_xdk0vxOKOz8yd5WUAPl7DSonK0MGfPuRGMO7GD1guVwDG-spVJueeW6ZCYF8c7apx5AlGPNRw9ot8PgIGCzVYu-KoJ_SHhlXtAP9k4uIlijGfF5y43iSfOzOZ5wR_aTU5V/s320/DSCF0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXj-jwADMhc5brufum6VJDqSX87q21kkO_wZmBvWZpkQyVlvrrLclEIZa0Rj7LBqOfhtxDl0qRncZC2s38eD_THKY63zbHpshf3Gnjf_DbPxYz_DaxwaFImcsSDOiWuHmEUpi8rTzYv147/s1600/DSCF0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXj-jwADMhc5brufum6VJDqSX87q21kkO_wZmBvWZpkQyVlvrrLclEIZa0Rj7LBqOfhtxDl0qRncZC2s38eD_THKY63zbHpshf3Gnjf_DbPxYz_DaxwaFImcsSDOiWuHmEUpi8rTzYv147/s320/DSCF0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1VPdBCrH9gXdJtyqLoGHDop0nvze8cS7BSaZPk1qhaVPp5-7ejuzwZ6RJVJDAcLN6qnSAYBCG8jI4oDuKDd4ig23HCfHP5Nqg2DwaPQBcs2Z2bVkx69Slmw6136ZirvIvv-iVDqpVeps/s1600/DSCF0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1VPdBCrH9gXdJtyqLoGHDop0nvze8cS7BSaZPk1qhaVPp5-7ejuzwZ6RJVJDAcLN6qnSAYBCG8jI4oDuKDd4ig23HCfHP5Nqg2DwaPQBcs2Z2bVkx69Slmw6136ZirvIvv-iVDqpVeps/s320/DSCF0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Some nice results and the best part was not having to wash it afterwards, I just threw it away. I must say though, it is quite messy when you cut it up and you will need to vacuum afterwards. Was good fun though and something both Boy and Girl could do in their own way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVz76ai5i76Wa7jdJjGKVnMRwTtegrk4fJmvbmwCfNuxlBF0-M1BN8pF8mEck2jEeAwGe140g0uKrTWacY4F4VeCEJaU4PMFhgbkf3pSZTXWq1MKWhyphenhyphenKnsIqRCtaRt8INQ-5kb6ZmPsFcQ/s1600/DSCF0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVz76ai5i76Wa7jdJjGKVnMRwTtegrk4fJmvbmwCfNuxlBF0-M1BN8pF8mEck2jEeAwGe140g0uKrTWacY4F4VeCEJaU4PMFhgbkf3pSZTXWq1MKWhyphenhyphenKnsIqRCtaRt8INQ-5kb6ZmPsFcQ/s320/DSCF0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-37045673033810233202011-08-16T19:52:00.000+01:002011-08-16T19:52:27.258+01:00Chocolate Butterfly Cakes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpMa7IisQHl7UpvWoJHDP_3cMcUEA0nk0bnL-rvJ0KTX0-Tj8-12SfMl28sfRS9QEErs0-rS4WaCjxrrJqlj2RTe5e90pvZZia1rJikzMyFvVQWNGeRxJUGHUyp-cC7EkjLJaqxHJcaVp/s1600/DSCF0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpMa7IisQHl7UpvWoJHDP_3cMcUEA0nk0bnL-rvJ0KTX0-Tj8-12SfMl28sfRS9QEErs0-rS4WaCjxrrJqlj2RTe5e90pvZZia1rJikzMyFvVQWNGeRxJUGHUyp-cC7EkjLJaqxHJcaVp/s320/DSCF0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Boy was keen to bake yesterday after dinner and we decided on chocolate butterfly cakes. Here's how we did it. Ingredients; 100g butter, 100g caster sugar, 2 eggs, 75g self raising flour, 25g cocoa.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD4OzCTDkGKQlEYzPMLXLEidhOznwD4Eqa4EkxWktGoulkGVS58xDxTezYM3SykaSFWgxcTEZCo-3VOi-2R3Wl1g2LzumFjPf60jUJfCHnGXXuEG629yDhVl0nI5QcA41zY9fGCE7FZDb/s1600/DSCF0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD4OzCTDkGKQlEYzPMLXLEidhOznwD4Eqa4EkxWktGoulkGVS58xDxTezYM3SykaSFWgxcTEZCo-3VOi-2R3Wl1g2LzumFjPf60jUJfCHnGXXuEG629yDhVl0nI5QcA41zY9fGCE7FZDb/s320/DSCF0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Then add the eggs, one at a time, and beat into the mixture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWKC6vFqthtcC9VXQU2HeZYgHbYWLl85chwoZKPl6jGDW3HAwqnZlkzar6SaoR6bIQkOWNzSKGN-5_LzBOVSkL772Ga-vSNUpz8R10avVvVvScFrcKu5PL9bLgiipwhN_Sr9yTxnQmHai/s1600/DSCF0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWKC6vFqthtcC9VXQU2HeZYgHbYWLl85chwoZKPl6jGDW3HAwqnZlkzar6SaoR6bIQkOWNzSKGN-5_LzBOVSkL772Ga-vSNUpz8R10avVvVvScFrcKu5PL9bLgiipwhN_Sr9yTxnQmHai/s320/DSCF0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then add the flour and cocoa, a few spoonfuls at a time, and gently mix in using a metal spoon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAa21xqgLtgFae0e2Uhm2C5ONY_CgORTDq9LQDfeV0GlDR9GrpoAWyeklHs_QGwy0pRUtbqJpgwXWWfTLKv37mynHuhJt1vcW4KWWeewwnWGmZ8kOpRUqL-yqP7UqifVG8G4fxw0KQi7HR/s1600/DSCF0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAa21xqgLtgFae0e2Uhm2C5ONY_CgORTDq9LQDfeV0GlDR9GrpoAWyeklHs_QGwy0pRUtbqJpgwXWWfTLKv37mynHuhJt1vcW4KWWeewwnWGmZ8kOpRUqL-yqP7UqifVG8G4fxw0KQi7HR/s320/DSCF0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcRWy1MeghNosas1mCAGKh7RIddWxoZAngWLjmsZEpk0SQjdJyffUrOhu7acJFPhZBx9Ly-LXBF0fXcTj6eK43GaMJJ_LBejg0BTcX3h2L3cS2uqObFDWv078Zqw-wb6a8UPMZtJ45d7z/s1600/DSCF0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcRWy1MeghNosas1mCAGKh7RIddWxoZAngWLjmsZEpk0SQjdJyffUrOhu7acJFPhZBx9Ly-LXBF0fXcTj6eK43GaMJJ_LBejg0BTcX3h2L3cS2uqObFDWv078Zqw-wb6a8UPMZtJ45d7z/s320/DSCF0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then place a teaspoonful into cake cases. I got 15 cakes out of this mixture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV3W7_5A5tIFRbY9RxoDoPHyphvPvPJ1csjxXRECpkk8uaUGoguyT8n1DRKlzak7wsaj2CZT7WdM5VrC7wgIdAqQH8eg-jxtXdXDqt-_CqtBMDDKS_4Si3zxHTXBT9gqrAMzReLigPtMM/s1600/DSCF0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV3W7_5A5tIFRbY9RxoDoPHyphvPvPJ1csjxXRECpkk8uaUGoguyT8n1DRKlzak7wsaj2CZT7WdM5VrC7wgIdAqQH8eg-jxtXdXDqt-_CqtBMDDKS_4Si3zxHTXBT9gqrAMzReLigPtMM/s320/DSCF0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Bake for 10-15 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees. Allow to cool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_ZsgdEFi2gfEchPmiThB0su-3xQTdR5jQ9rlwn151InzR13WjuiVfQkgHsRxq9K5ZfvccRaeWdKBKPn-Rr6FRwHaxluBMTMwhWHXOh2OS9C3xWmDnpq7TGxyPYhReMlzoqYKfDN22dIm/s1600/DSCF0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_ZsgdEFi2gfEchPmiThB0su-3xQTdR5jQ9rlwn151InzR13WjuiVfQkgHsRxq9K5ZfvccRaeWdKBKPn-Rr6FRwHaxluBMTMwhWHXOh2OS9C3xWmDnpq7TGxyPYhReMlzoqYKfDN22dIm/s320/DSCF0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>For the icing you will need; 50g butter, 75g icing sugar, 25g cocoa, a spoonful of milk. Beat all the ingredients together until light and fluffy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36QlgVfr8IxbPxK-9C7hSEilpbKOnPOb2GbNSSa61fqqipTjDrSsR-xGgkoxGuqm5ZRb3FdUNjqS3RcnUt-wmtH18WuVaTjPu985_GSDnEem8kCVXPtcMb8XRUMVSsWsJXq3sF6K-yv_T/s1600/DSCF0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36QlgVfr8IxbPxK-9C7hSEilpbKOnPOb2GbNSSa61fqqipTjDrSsR-xGgkoxGuqm5ZRb3FdUNjqS3RcnUt-wmtH18WuVaTjPu985_GSDnEem8kCVXPtcMb8XRUMVSsWsJXq3sF6K-yv_T/s320/DSCF0022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> To make the butterflies cut a disk from the top of each cake using a sharp knife.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSZCBMqoWzsp5twpOyBLeZL5nRyYPvBz3XhctRT85ETE0ISzJy2rr6TFMfCQRwKpWRG7b99jjwbx9EZcv-CUgvXTvmMw6Mj4e2qjZCU74i75oRok7SE3gnRmcdgpuLv_CpBjo2Ycgpuu8/s1600/DSCF0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSZCBMqoWzsp5twpOyBLeZL5nRyYPvBz3XhctRT85ETE0ISzJy2rr6TFMfCQRwKpWRG7b99jjwbx9EZcv-CUgvXTvmMw6Mj4e2qjZCU74i75oRok7SE3gnRmcdgpuLv_CpBjo2Ycgpuu8/s320/DSCF0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Cut the disk in half.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshwz60AQHYamwqEssvweF_F54jr5RUrhCTj5BiaviJde6Ibd6sAfv2-3qLSl68D3ud0vCtu4rnpDTxtpOzAeXaYNBl2SE7RMNLW-TpJm5hQaiEwBuRFt2WnGXjynaYmtWLTd4gbdvnt0Z/s1600/DSCF0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshwz60AQHYamwqEssvweF_F54jr5RUrhCTj5BiaviJde6Ibd6sAfv2-3qLSl68D3ud0vCtu4rnpDTxtpOzAeXaYNBl2SE7RMNLW-TpJm5hQaiEwBuRFt2WnGXjynaYmtWLTd4gbdvnt0Z/s320/DSCF0028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Put a spoonful of icing on the top and then arrange the 'wings' on the top!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkA6x7MXdESdTODjhoaXULT6o9SK47GcDF1JfUHT7hlzYY7Fn1Q2dJv236g6-a_YFlca3BKifMhYhLEzDJuV5aE3cc9DWS669pEUImKYPV5p-kytZZBe1q70ffy5ilNQy-RQLAF7UICPrI/s1600/DSCF0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkA6x7MXdESdTODjhoaXULT6o9SK47GcDF1JfUHT7hlzYY7Fn1Q2dJv236g6-a_YFlca3BKifMhYhLEzDJuV5aE3cc9DWS669pEUImKYPV5p-kytZZBe1q70ffy5ilNQy-RQLAF7UICPrI/s320/DSCF0030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLnyDYgyBJQ87HLy7vHLgkwBZoOcEXx5yXI2Mkkk10QUtE0sNPsz2I2XwpRPOjhsmmJRP5yKWWn4HFJ2RfAnRPqdiFHxh1UDdu8F4vkpZdb5ma3DcPTYT36peJ4ZvibUzpNRKIHguoJeR/s1600/DSCF0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLnyDYgyBJQ87HLy7vHLgkwBZoOcEXx5yXI2Mkkk10QUtE0sNPsz2I2XwpRPOjhsmmJRP5yKWWn4HFJ2RfAnRPqdiFHxh1UDdu8F4vkpZdb5ma3DcPTYT36peJ4ZvibUzpNRKIHguoJeR/s320/DSCF0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Dust with icing sugar and you're finished. A nice alternative to a plain butterfly cake. These are also a big hit with Daddy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFzgGNtYN2DTfrL9_xCprOW_64xgFzYb49UcNshkeAHBt1UvX6RsB_yoMBbhE5XQLcJJUS4koHTCL7mnXfWWjQgzQtg3VUaWXevZGYwXH2G5kHbxwDCrQ0ig7w-_myqOV1ajcnDIo0G7o/s1600/DSCF0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFzgGNtYN2DTfrL9_xCprOW_64xgFzYb49UcNshkeAHBt1UvX6RsB_yoMBbhE5XQLcJJUS4koHTCL7mnXfWWjQgzQtg3VUaWXevZGYwXH2G5kHbxwDCrQ0ig7w-_myqOV1ajcnDIo0G7o/s320/DSCF0034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-77566264845509462212011-08-15T15:03:00.000+01:002011-08-15T15:03:54.706+01:00Decorating Salt Dough<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxe73amBqFkl10Ap84GMkkv3g9DYD9fJ2kSTqEWiQLoMqE3jf1OSszW0o7IARynxNlkPwJ9rzB55IXsCHZkMBEJ7JzKD46KCAY7dxG5ZQZi-T86RBPMmPBvDw846udVMCIKWPoze3GxgG2/s1600/DSCF0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxe73amBqFkl10Ap84GMkkv3g9DYD9fJ2kSTqEWiQLoMqE3jf1OSszW0o7IARynxNlkPwJ9rzB55IXsCHZkMBEJ7JzKD46KCAY7dxG5ZQZi-T86RBPMmPBvDw846udVMCIKWPoze3GxgG2/s320/DSCF0022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This morning we finished off the <a href="http://mrsm-adventuresplay.blogspot.com/2011/08/salt-dough-shapes.html">Salt Dough Shapes</a> we made yesterday. We used a variety of ready made paints and also some glitter paints and sequins.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfOcwjNtoV1MABoPgtL_aZ-4XRrdo7i8UXQgmRIgsHvikxi-3eA8ik3EMz82yidurkBeVSlzw774DILw6NQkQQWDZX1gEFxjW7dySwTxMM-7QBzOm9byjcFYxPgjHLJn9f5771XbF_3_w/s1600/DSCF0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfOcwjNtoV1MABoPgtL_aZ-4XRrdo7i8UXQgmRIgsHvikxi-3eA8ik3EMz82yidurkBeVSlzw774DILw6NQkQQWDZX1gEFxjW7dySwTxMM-7QBzOm9byjcFYxPgjHLJn9f5771XbF_3_w/s320/DSCF0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They each painted a tealight holder.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0W2OseKIor36IYYGN_r9Z-mZKg-LkibKkhW1_CQ34t4lf0ggURv2f1LSdXseLCuqyWbqBgt9GGTa36ZIohbLNpbKFmWyGgGlu9gUbIJlNaHgL4xntUQoQRQ4UVB4ts9Ax82TnDVpuZ47X/s1600/DSCF0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0W2OseKIor36IYYGN_r9Z-mZKg-LkibKkhW1_CQ34t4lf0ggURv2f1LSdXseLCuqyWbqBgt9GGTa36ZIohbLNpbKFmWyGgGlu9gUbIJlNaHgL4xntUQoQRQ4UVB4ts9Ax82TnDVpuZ47X/s320/DSCF0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As well as the different shapes Boy made yesterday. Boy was very keen to stick to just the one colour on each of his shapes whereas Girl enjoyed using lots of colours on hers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgx_bTTlf-tye3AZzxsqHRoHKL2_GnQ27tAgQOcWHtz_b6KK_p2eiuzAWagkGkpUQ1eBouo2JupRYeJcqPo5KGjaIfiTvOEc3_rbE-Or2sUKxh8HIxOiXw9vd78VPfRs0UG_IkmddXtwn/s1600/DSCF0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgx_bTTlf-tye3AZzxsqHRoHKL2_GnQ27tAgQOcWHtz_b6KK_p2eiuzAWagkGkpUQ1eBouo2JupRYeJcqPo5KGjaIfiTvOEc3_rbE-Or2sUKxh8HIxOiXw9vd78VPfRs0UG_IkmddXtwn/s320/DSCF0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LOZL8nBzWoqgKM0H0y_cKSDDY0Rp5A5QSwJlYnuSu7asiOpK4Xytj7V-kmTx_uSGCcX6GMKWSRv0zi3RVtgfh-7S1PFeyTJeWUTDZW7mm2t6KruKZCiMniZo_hMPqf_dI8x22QH9Qfet/s1600/DSCF0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LOZL8nBzWoqgKM0H0y_cKSDDY0Rp5A5QSwJlYnuSu7asiOpK4Xytj7V-kmTx_uSGCcX6GMKWSRv0zi3RVtgfh-7S1PFeyTJeWUTDZW7mm2t6KruKZCiMniZo_hMPqf_dI8x22QH9Qfet/s320/DSCF0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The finished tealight holders turned out well I think. We may put glue or varnish over these if the paint rubs off to the touch, if not we'll just leave them as they are.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhzKRCYgedgIS7UfMCgGi0BEDaeBVyQwol-oEQwpx6Q8gHTQrWbzZnfY4QOWPt6ZbS27aLPar3S9wgLmSesjaZBuPZMSAg6b7kJUQbleyTZ0lYmye9sE7WwtQD1KX8EgXbtAQp0eDIL9G/s1600/DSCF0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhzKRCYgedgIS7UfMCgGi0BEDaeBVyQwol-oEQwpx6Q8gHTQrWbzZnfY4QOWPt6ZbS27aLPar3S9wgLmSesjaZBuPZMSAg6b7kJUQbleyTZ0lYmye9sE7WwtQD1KX8EgXbtAQp0eDIL9G/s320/DSCF0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-10543067994108813742011-08-14T20:49:00.001+01:002011-08-18T08:03:23.441+01:00Salt Dough Shapes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It has been quite a while since we last did salt dough models so I quickly made some salt dough this afternoon whilst Girl was asleep and Boy was out on a trip to the dump with his Dad. When he came back I had laid out the dough and some equipment for him. Girl was still napping so she didn't take part on this occasion.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3xgkzbGonfyyb5npSZnZRisz78_zMi0cv9ZL_xwM4BAj-heJoZSgIjt2Z5o5pJUO45B7H2vM6d43keqgSAnT-tWxKTIz7TxuujC6ItiFOLqzSI4DJMu1ZXhTzbDk4AoA88Kb_Kzn4zAJ/s1600/DSCF0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3xgkzbGonfyyb5npSZnZRisz78_zMi0cv9ZL_xwM4BAj-heJoZSgIjt2Z5o5pJUO45B7H2vM6d43keqgSAnT-tWxKTIz7TxuujC6ItiFOLqzSI4DJMu1ZXhTzbDk4AoA88Kb_Kzn4zAJ/s320/DSCF0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The recipe for this dough is different to the play dough one I usually use. Salt dough is used to make models and shapes which are then baked in the oven and go hard. They can then be decorated and painted and you can keep your child's creation. It's very simple to make. All you need is plain flour, salt and water. The measurements are 2 parts flour, 2 parts salt and 1 part water. For this small quantity I used 1 cup flour, 1 cup salt and 1/2 cup water. Mix the ingredients together in a bowl until a firm dough is formed. Knead until smooth. Job done!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFQemo1899L5adHI2UftGAjUi9syiq4v9fpuNOUzf7HsSkOwG7WND0VerVL0nZP0BLF1mxMAKTFfwdjxCTcJFFgVVbl5HJGnvGxyOnbw7Sc6LTAWSI0wYtTK_47C3q8plT_EdPDHmCKhQ/s1600/DSCF0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFQemo1899L5adHI2UftGAjUi9syiq4v9fpuNOUzf7HsSkOwG7WND0VerVL0nZP0BLF1mxMAKTFfwdjxCTcJFFgVVbl5HJGnvGxyOnbw7Sc6LTAWSI0wYtTK_47C3q8plT_EdPDHmCKhQ/s320/DSCF0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He wanted to make a tealight holder - I suggested this actually because it is an easy shape to achieve and is then functional and could be given as a gift to a great grandmother who's birthday it is soon. If you know her, don't show her this!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bo9hyucE_1qQ7YuwzwaHP8rPTlK3sRo1I0VTwhkgAmizMV_cpAQGOwLRh4wIQzh4X0PklaX84GHszEdNi_bujlfYW-N4S29dEmkUYsIkBrLIUl2CwnWqBOw-XvEZxeg5t4i3SRURXCTI/s1600/DSCF0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bo9hyucE_1qQ7YuwzwaHP8rPTlK3sRo1I0VTwhkgAmizMV_cpAQGOwLRh4wIQzh4X0PklaX84GHszEdNi_bujlfYW-N4S29dEmkUYsIkBrLIUl2CwnWqBOw-XvEZxeg5t4i3SRURXCTI/s320/DSCF0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After this he decided to roll out the dough and cut out shapes. Circles, stars and hearts.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SSlBeYhjlWjBWgqKMfiJ4UV5XyHE4RsniT47crHkrVQwZwN2j0nZq7RKgzToiZ9mhCL7syBCeteHaFNhAL5PTEC3bUflZ_aBPzy4LNSMHRt0Zgm6WSBrKX_2H0DCI-Pg_Tbj1Gb04r2h/s1600/DSCF0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SSlBeYhjlWjBWgqKMfiJ4UV5XyHE4RsniT47crHkrVQwZwN2j0nZq7RKgzToiZ9mhCL7syBCeteHaFNhAL5PTEC3bUflZ_aBPzy4LNSMHRt0Zgm6WSBrKX_2H0DCI-Pg_Tbj1Gb04r2h/s320/DSCF0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Once you have made your models, put them on a baking sheet and bake for a few hours in a low oven (about 100 degrees). If your models are quite large or thick it might take up to 3 hours for them to harden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCshGfjk5Uq5cuH9aE4yQwQ0uKBf764kAlwDeoYFuvBF-j5pELj2qd8SO7b9NwKNBmVWZSkvEPmLNSRFWhb8sJ6uhpFkEnDxtjlvUxHnDGCcC7E9TfRntQCuc-t3mkrE2oHp5uWSIy650u/s1600/DSCF0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCshGfjk5Uq5cuH9aE4yQwQ0uKBf764kAlwDeoYFuvBF-j5pELj2qd8SO7b9NwKNBmVWZSkvEPmLNSRFWhb8sJ6uhpFkEnDxtjlvUxHnDGCcC7E9TfRntQCuc-t3mkrE2oHp5uWSIy650u/s320/DSCF0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Once they are done they will be very pale white in colour and very hard. Once they are cooled you can paint and decorate them. We will be doing this tomorrow using some glitter paints I picked up at the weekend. Hopefully Girl will be able to decorate some of the shapes too. You could use this dough to make all sorts of models and creations - let your children's imagination take the lead and see what they come up with!<br />
Find out what happened when we decorate these <a href="http://mrsm-adventuresplay.blogspot.com/2011/08/decorating-salt-dough.html">here.</a> To find out how to make some great play food using salt dough have a look at <a href="http://mrsm-adventuresplay.blogspot.com/2011/08/homemade-play-food.html">this post.</a> </div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-55745843398972770732011-08-10T19:39:00.002+01:002011-08-14T22:12:07.398+01:00Paper Plate Craft #3 Spinning Paints<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcrcRFifa1R38ADZtX39M3PB1uGnmrgar_Xg96yyUsvWdicIqFkpl04u6isoQGMbqlyt9ko1qsKGzYSbi0E_Nj2G9U-C-lshXkjPWEyJDbg7p1U2emiRJ5BU1znLRFlvbbsSD-VHZE0hH/s1600/DSCF0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcrcRFifa1R38ADZtX39M3PB1uGnmrgar_Xg96yyUsvWdicIqFkpl04u6isoQGMbqlyt9ko1qsKGzYSbi0E_Nj2G9U-C-lshXkjPWEyJDbg7p1U2emiRJ5BU1znLRFlvbbsSD-VHZE0hH/s320/DSCF0021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Girl has a strong Rotation schema (see <a href="http://mrsm-adventuresplay.blogspot.com/2011/04/child-development-schemas.html">here</a> for schema information) and I was discussing this with a colleague a few weeks back. We were trying to think of activities for children with rotational schema and I remembered I had heard mention of using salad spinners to make patterns and designs using paint. I can't remember where I've seen this - probably on a kids art programme as a child. I haven't actually read any instructions on this but we decided to experiment with centrifugal force this morning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwDbHp53z798c0rDcSGAzjvppqZhrIQ6N2zf5yMFz2vTJ_ofvboJxCJLjEeK0pv-2Eh37L1McLDFb6LXuj8FbJ7Lu_G6BXBbu_7SLsSPj5WXEEcB2MZ06blIWp0MNLR0cIhofCeZaYsc9/s1600/DSCF0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwDbHp53z798c0rDcSGAzjvppqZhrIQ6N2zf5yMFz2vTJ_ofvboJxCJLjEeK0pv-2Eh37L1McLDFb6LXuj8FbJ7Lu_G6BXBbu_7SLsSPj5WXEEcB2MZ06blIWp0MNLR0cIhofCeZaYsc9/s320/DSCF0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>You need a salad spinner, paper plates and ready made paints in various colours. I cut round the edge of the plates to make them fit into the basket of the spinner.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBIZNOV37rTAY0ebTa9uFVpR2c9YF8rL7Zn7n0w4L5inbnq6bu2uyJZxcB-cWH1s-LU1jtI86sDd8ylU1OMIkA3masfQ5BJS-jIjpeCfCx5slLzp0V5E9-XSM1kxXew0OTNOKw_IeOxZq/s1600/DSCF0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBIZNOV37rTAY0ebTa9uFVpR2c9YF8rL7Zn7n0w4L5inbnq6bu2uyJZxcB-cWH1s-LU1jtI86sDd8ylU1OMIkA3masfQ5BJS-jIjpeCfCx5slLzp0V5E9-XSM1kxXew0OTNOKw_IeOxZq/s320/DSCF0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then we squirted blobs of paint onto the plates. Boy was keen to use all the colours we had!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VgMZXytF5kJJE5JZQZ4YElSZaVOoYErOwBfp1KjuU7mpG6LuHbJbsXxItZCo3RGs4A0Vw5XwB_yAI9hp7UTeydxFequ4is8wEYT_ESkVNIIQZfzbDjW9EkMPFmW-ONJaKF0ljyFDezwE/s1600/DSCF0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VgMZXytF5kJJE5JZQZ4YElSZaVOoYErOwBfp1KjuU7mpG6LuHbJbsXxItZCo3RGs4A0Vw5XwB_yAI9hp7UTeydxFequ4is8wEYT_ESkVNIIQZfzbDjW9EkMPFmW-ONJaKF0ljyFDezwE/s320/DSCF0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then spin it for a short time. Girl loved this bit! She kept saying 'my do, my do, faster, faster!' Great stuff!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0eC8qEa1m6r1KPXnqI9O9dpKzTGL9MBttS5M_uSlVTGlSRBgHnqbZQktnnBxbLUN2ePiKdpsD05TrAx5FNAjSV47dj4weks7QbI84YfU0YeX04mFobv2Ynm_E1MUaJ9BLzHmmEA7HFJm/s1600/DSCF0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0eC8qEa1m6r1KPXnqI9O9dpKzTGL9MBttS5M_uSlVTGlSRBgHnqbZQktnnBxbLUN2ePiKdpsD05TrAx5FNAjSV47dj4weks7QbI84YfU0YeX04mFobv2Ynm_E1MUaJ9BLzHmmEA7HFJm/s320/DSCF0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We did quite a few different ones and mixed some colours too to make pinks and purples. The results were really good and Boy was quite interested in how it works. An opportunity to talk about physics.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qBFxTFgfhZFCyi8OjAVLlX93a8fi56GDgl-aBeFLFgTEJot6Km_vYqwEIDkFpkoibzR35LOEs6O_wz-Ya06pbUke4WuDa0YwCfbdIGAgXIs6NHIqVyhXov99V4tMEmnZpyUiBQaWWgQN/s1600/DSCF0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qBFxTFgfhZFCyi8OjAVLlX93a8fi56GDgl-aBeFLFgTEJot6Km_vYqwEIDkFpkoibzR35LOEs6O_wz-Ya06pbUke4WuDa0YwCfbdIGAgXIs6NHIqVyhXov99V4tMEmnZpyUiBQaWWgQN/s320/DSCF0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcrcRFifa1R38ADZtX39M3PB1uGnmrgar_Xg96yyUsvWdicIqFkpl04u6isoQGMbqlyt9ko1qsKGzYSbi0E_Nj2G9U-C-lshXkjPWEyJDbg7p1U2emiRJ5BU1znLRFlvbbsSD-VHZE0hH/s1600/DSCF0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcrcRFifa1R38ADZtX39M3PB1uGnmrgar_Xg96yyUsvWdicIqFkpl04u6isoQGMbqlyt9ko1qsKGzYSbi0E_Nj2G9U-C-lshXkjPWEyJDbg7p1U2emiRJ5BU1znLRFlvbbsSD-VHZE0hH/s320/DSCF0021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We ran out of plates and had to take a quick trip to the shop to get some more. It was a really popular activity with my children and I plan to take the salad spinner into nursery later this week to let the other children have a go too. Happy spinning!<br />
For some more creative ideas click on the button below. This post is included in the collection of great ideas this week. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Classified: Mom" src="http://classifiedmom.webs.com/sundayshowcase1.png" /></a></div></div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-62064248485599736452011-08-08T18:29:00.000+01:002011-08-08T18:29:33.005+01:00Camping!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNa3KCqBI_mbiFBQoMriXeoHt4I0cpGYCQiO9GGq60o6eLahvj5NKXfTie7KDdb8hAyyF0Ilapqvp2133d6vp0Q73ubIvnS2WH1i7yckmjXS1jHKWa41ltWCTHGwhyp2uHep2oR3DcCOpG/s1600/DSCF0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNa3KCqBI_mbiFBQoMriXeoHt4I0cpGYCQiO9GGq60o6eLahvj5NKXfTie7KDdb8hAyyF0Ilapqvp2133d6vp0Q73ubIvnS2WH1i7yckmjXS1jHKWa41ltWCTHGwhyp2uHep2oR3DcCOpG/s320/DSCF0102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We have spent the last week camping on the Yorkshire Coast near Scarborough. Camping in itself is a brilliant activity for young children. They love the opportunity to be outdoors for long periods of time and sleeping in a tent is very exciting!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStGqmNQIHPa7xR5tc2zSuynZAgJhsTrbjLkhQaQmO1Tj3eGhOinnT0miun2qgmj4uK-F-W456Py2mVwZbeeSDoIkRR9gPtKuvFvvrbqeSKVpsMSL6zG5ak0yEdKvfUF3MhmPHUQTNz2lb/s1600/DSCF0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStGqmNQIHPa7xR5tc2zSuynZAgJhsTrbjLkhQaQmO1Tj3eGhOinnT0miun2qgmj4uK-F-W456Py2mVwZbeeSDoIkRR9gPtKuvFvvrbqeSKVpsMSL6zG5ak0yEdKvfUF3MhmPHUQTNz2lb/s320/DSCF0100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN04YIb4z81NKbLmW9fFXOmUyUaXDHr9rs_IqGRQLdxr0W5jhQV-dFQYEghf9RzJVnmZeFy9EdC6MTg8I0dAdrYNOILQO9FqPe_-IsZqOUc3SwOwI0EULg2qhQRdn55LExl_Nz8dn6x-om/s1600/DSCF0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN04YIb4z81NKbLmW9fFXOmUyUaXDHr9rs_IqGRQLdxr0W5jhQV-dFQYEghf9RzJVnmZeFy9EdC6MTg8I0dAdrYNOILQO9FqPe_-IsZqOUc3SwOwI0EULg2qhQRdn55LExl_Nz8dn6x-om/s320/DSCF0103.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>We spent a fair amount of time playing on the beaches at Filey and Scarborough. Sand castles, ice cream, rock pools and digging big holes!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ_r34dKQgFms3pH2mGyDLujB7G0XI93oz05Krtmv_TblVtHMQfpuxiLM80JNW7Lz1S9VwB9-XjjOyfm6gjN87i9NX8pSNMe362ZuchyphenhyphenFlq5WTwtNFkpj-cONQl3smIChgfBW9lKHTkbv/s1600/DSCF0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ_r34dKQgFms3pH2mGyDLujB7G0XI93oz05Krtmv_TblVtHMQfpuxiLM80JNW7Lz1S9VwB9-XjjOyfm6gjN87i9NX8pSNMe362ZuchyphenhyphenFlq5WTwtNFkpj-cONQl3smIChgfBW9lKHTkbv/s320/DSCF0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjax_tuFIqpf0ZwSH-Xc_MpkkJZsfd0PRYSjmJHOwRy0r7VLT5P7kJc0fmh80zaoXa14YVZt-rIBkY473Nxvf3-kIHVYlKLVlr788piCVNhh3zEtyKjKwZG54wmUovGDSXacxgQ8gn4F2KL/s1600/DSCF0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjax_tuFIqpf0ZwSH-Xc_MpkkJZsfd0PRYSjmJHOwRy0r7VLT5P7kJc0fmh80zaoXa14YVZt-rIBkY473Nxvf3-kIHVYlKLVlr788piCVNhh3zEtyKjKwZG54wmUovGDSXacxgQ8gn4F2KL/s320/DSCF0010.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWvk7wFg6QlF7qi5SqJPIFtChcInSldS1wHX6gdBh_iPIqgbYIPWCb8kXr5L7uvcNNc0bPdfYzyeYl5K9rSvzx5ktmlQvVbTmYV09AGeGP5AA0616oISyRM5W9KRy5Z67T-pwpZC-VQwI/s1600/DSCF0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWvk7wFg6QlF7qi5SqJPIFtChcInSldS1wHX6gdBh_iPIqgbYIPWCb8kXr5L7uvcNNc0bPdfYzyeYl5K9rSvzx5ktmlQvVbTmYV09AGeGP5AA0616oISyRM5W9KRy5Z67T-pwpZC-VQwI/s320/DSCF0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The view from the camping field was stunning on a clear day. We spent some time looking for pirate ships on the sea!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV__4Cv0AYEbgXRnJJGgMRXKv-Ngxty6fISADS3-dUvwquDm7MQaO54Dlo-ietolU1kd9z222zsAvxuRqKV83TG7WU9Ua-6uEH2K0TihjspxOMeWq-D5hU5Ik4GzfTPzXwBUeO10oPXKHQ/s1600/DSCF0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV__4Cv0AYEbgXRnJJGgMRXKv-Ngxty6fISADS3-dUvwquDm7MQaO54Dlo-ietolU1kd9z222zsAvxuRqKV83TG7WU9Ua-6uEH2K0TihjspxOMeWq-D5hU5Ik4GzfTPzXwBUeO10oPXKHQ/s320/DSCF0079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We visited Scarborough Castle and went on a treasure hunt around the grounds. We also joined in with some pirate games, which was lots of fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYyoUZofFnghgeD95HEgsN_xBukqaHtPi5z8hW3Hi_SZaH-rH1Vz5z6I_oGZyxJ2aIm1vGrUounrQm9a26hdqyOMsfnIMl6tR8Gb4dRdAkBTK4ME3ipE9InCPZw4j7mg5OY1Kam-H131J/s1600/DSCF0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYyoUZofFnghgeD95HEgsN_xBukqaHtPi5z8hW3Hi_SZaH-rH1Vz5z6I_oGZyxJ2aIm1vGrUounrQm9a26hdqyOMsfnIMl6tR8Gb4dRdAkBTK4ME3ipE9InCPZw4j7mg5OY1Kam-H131J/s320/DSCF0070.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlU1qxFy6NoueB8xv6xb-dxFaBuhXYKjxKV9c6aTxG9BS2v5ZHalWu8Jxz-X2inPz_D5CmMTNJOHuBPyZDcNDFi3e4HR6NldkS6-pgVR9QG_yllfmGDTOhEUHzstZIDCXOf070BRc5v3S/s1600/DSCF0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlU1qxFy6NoueB8xv6xb-dxFaBuhXYKjxKV9c6aTxG9BS2v5ZHalWu8Jxz-X2inPz_D5CmMTNJOHuBPyZDcNDFi3e4HR6NldkS6-pgVR9QG_yllfmGDTOhEUHzstZIDCXOf070BRc5v3S/s320/DSCF0069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Boy and Girl enjoyed playing and getting dirty and not having to wash (much!). If you get the chance to go camping with your children, go for it! It really is worthwhile and they get a great deal out of it.</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-50207787453580527542011-08-01T08:14:00.000+01:002011-08-01T08:14:05.807+01:00Trip to the Seaside<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There will be no new posts for this week as we are taking a camping holiday at the seaside. We'll definitely update when we get back with plenty of beach/sea/cove/rock pool adventures I'm sure. Have a great week!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0cTlxIwZNnStQfgEbeadBripnQhKmTXK-zb1ALw-K29FN8GfOwaXQxUHhJYqiZzcJPia9sJQv1zHi9K1ONRD-b7LU72OHrY8EjL5T2l8vj6T5XxR2EEYRdlwcwaOR6PlBgX8v9ON19JK/s1600/DSCF0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0cTlxIwZNnStQfgEbeadBripnQhKmTXK-zb1ALw-K29FN8GfOwaXQxUHhJYqiZzcJPia9sJQv1zHi9K1ONRD-b7LU72OHrY8EjL5T2l8vj6T5XxR2EEYRdlwcwaOR6PlBgX8v9ON19JK/s320/DSCF0001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-90099719227945276102011-07-28T21:25:00.000+01:002011-07-28T21:25:53.600+01:00Perfect Victoria Sandwich Cake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xB7dWi-9fDUYMHcAY1JikfNk4hKERTAhih0LJ5Q08XqGE-KECcOyhVCOV1rqMSjVLTXUPvcDy9VLUHHxrGmZhhQ9K3MoRmAsPj1Z_gGnjxoMxElIVTUSfNpKoE8s9oVuX_FuZCaT3KxJ/s1600/DSCF0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xB7dWi-9fDUYMHcAY1JikfNk4hKERTAhih0LJ5Q08XqGE-KECcOyhVCOV1rqMSjVLTXUPvcDy9VLUHHxrGmZhhQ9K3MoRmAsPj1Z_gGnjxoMxElIVTUSfNpKoE8s9oVuX_FuZCaT3KxJ/s320/DSCF0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Whilst at our Agricultural Show at the weekend I attended a Victoria Sandwich Cake Masterclass. This wasn't a demonstration but rather advice on what judges are looking for when awarding prizes in cake competitions. I thought I'd share these tips and also a recipe for anyone who might be interested. Of course I enlisted the help of my two mini bakers too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzTjRlsjpTlOVAxJeGIxmQe2vuQI19uoQAbIAm0Rkc5vwiS3RMX8zZPxVgvU6718Ue0gqYGN1ZwkzCc-u_4plVSruzBiVhg1A7NbAKHUHBp01d7ouIcuBO-RTl2UZjKnDnxEpMbnRx_sY/s1600/DSCF0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzTjRlsjpTlOVAxJeGIxmQe2vuQI19uoQAbIAm0Rkc5vwiS3RMX8zZPxVgvU6718Ue0gqYGN1ZwkzCc-u_4plVSruzBiVhg1A7NbAKHUHBp01d7ouIcuBO-RTl2UZjKnDnxEpMbnRx_sY/s320/DSCF0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A true Victoria Sandwich is sandwiched together with raspberry jam only (no buttercream) and has a sprinkling of caster sugar (not icing sugar). Using butter is preferable to baking margarine (although I won third prize a couple of years back using Stork!). Use good quality ingredients, fresh butter and eggs. Ensure there is no jam running down the sides and take care not to put your cake in too hot an oven for too long. It should be light golden yellow on top when cooked. A Victoria Sandwich should always be baked in two tins not a single tin and then cut in half.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6cL3bdSbsDdq2wCpa47sBIy8ry0FpbThwGRRih4wxXmFBjRlShvoOpf0kMwleeP3vOkO0MeV9RXmUu8zMj_FsTg6kuejo6Kce5xorN3N2p-9fNogbnZNCTNRZ-DrsiaXAtEDHd8wlrWC/s1600/DSCF0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6cL3bdSbsDdq2wCpa47sBIy8ry0FpbThwGRRih4wxXmFBjRlShvoOpf0kMwleeP3vOkO0MeV9RXmUu8zMj_FsTg6kuejo6Kce5xorN3N2p-9fNogbnZNCTNRZ-DrsiaXAtEDHd8wlrWC/s320/DSCF0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here's our recipe. Grease two 20cm sandwich tins and line the base with baking paper. Then weigh four medium sized eggs and make a note of the weight. Ours were 232g. Then use this weight to measure the same quantity of butter (softened, left out of the fridge for a while first), caster sugar, and self raising flour.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5Rn1JTcC4fELuFwXZA8PJ9vGtzfnV8XhmwJavwAtx8f7rQjVWR9KVHLoqrZktLGp8BeF0AEzi8t9U7z3EvZeZiAnD38CpmpKSgw2s-Nnr5jWoCKmHZIcehOlbv9xf-GWk8U0xYacngZi/s1600/DSCF0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5Rn1JTcC4fELuFwXZA8PJ9vGtzfnV8XhmwJavwAtx8f7rQjVWR9KVHLoqrZktLGp8BeF0AEzi8t9U7z3EvZeZiAnD38CpmpKSgw2s-Nnr5jWoCKmHZIcehOlbv9xf-GWk8U0xYacngZi/s320/DSCF0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Use either an electric whisk or a wooden spoon to cream the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy in texture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8IXomsxy5p7eV9m_xr78-9zhDqxw7-yBHr9Q-FOwbjXSXMUvi1MosOu7SWdVI99ygcJc0H7P4d7JZU-3DbpWwXliv9tTaKYLiK5rj7WFPBoq8x3KbfwrHZR1BmYxasVbK15BUAOGXpYd/s1600/DSCF0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8IXomsxy5p7eV9m_xr78-9zhDqxw7-yBHr9Q-FOwbjXSXMUvi1MosOu7SWdVI99ygcJc0H7P4d7JZU-3DbpWwXliv9tTaKYLiK5rj7WFPBoq8x3KbfwrHZR1BmYxasVbK15BUAOGXpYd/s320/DSCF0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then add the eggs one at a time and beat into the mixture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRvdwyvllNJ2TDA4eG63fhIKUw-lZgFIgule1ZhMVP-L3_jUmJEVWV7E3xtO3s6S-MPX4Num4jOFqRcgzrR8we44nRpuhtaypRd7JHVW61gV8AmEoOi6g75hdOV8hnryd2pJALrlw9-ii/s1600/DSCF0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRvdwyvllNJ2TDA4eG63fhIKUw-lZgFIgule1ZhMVP-L3_jUmJEVWV7E3xtO3s6S-MPX4Num4jOFqRcgzrR8we44nRpuhtaypRd7JHVW61gV8AmEoOi6g75hdOV8hnryd2pJALrlw9-ii/s320/DSCF0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then fold in the flour using a metal spoon. do this a couple of spoonfuls at a time mixing gently until all the flour is combined.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B5PuRIWEH6dij0IbBT2nEDrpDcI8beU2CYKqUKuG2lKBC3CU4QBJ9Dq78z-TXW6XZ97I4-Kcyc3jTdf2GAomBzUC0ztWXzg5OXpxvxYZEViEcvsmaU1DehNgw_qIOJCls1wm9IGVIKIc/s1600/DSCF0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B5PuRIWEH6dij0IbBT2nEDrpDcI8beU2CYKqUKuG2lKBC3CU4QBJ9Dq78z-TXW6XZ97I4-Kcyc3jTdf2GAomBzUC0ztWXzg5OXpxvxYZEViEcvsmaU1DehNgw_qIOJCls1wm9IGVIKIc/s320/DSCF0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxXs0-EMX52vBKA-0rc0X2PYu1SKyVReNv7F3CDp79xwQQ31nVKZHbGIBwTvhOFIHo8dcLKpXW7WkRgBiSF2Uxvq6ak3DQDxTrq3eyIQHoHliC7xZDQmLTuSLXOGiMEkxEGlfzX4gB8fy/s1600/DSCF0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxXs0-EMX52vBKA-0rc0X2PYu1SKyVReNv7F3CDp79xwQQ31nVKZHbGIBwTvhOFIHo8dcLKpXW7WkRgBiSF2Uxvq6ak3DQDxTrq3eyIQHoHliC7xZDQmLTuSLXOGiMEkxEGlfzX4gB8fy/s320/DSCF0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then carefully spoon equal amounts into the tins and smooth the surface.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88mBqzn20WAFQY2Nm7riYJy5RqJMlQeLBbC6GCWng7pcu6sp1bc1XCRHZ2n8xKgRN4xMF7o6UslNKuaYuP996Xs4sI4m73SFpwOGJgP0GzqX62NCetxNxoKcSVobA9V2lHqCxgExc5mZU/s1600/DSCF0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88mBqzn20WAFQY2Nm7riYJy5RqJMlQeLBbC6GCWng7pcu6sp1bc1XCRHZ2n8xKgRN4xMF7o6UslNKuaYuP996Xs4sI4m73SFpwOGJgP0GzqX62NCetxNxoKcSVobA9V2lHqCxgExc5mZU/s320/DSCF0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Bake in the oven at 180 degrees (or less if you have a fan assisted oven) for about 20 mins.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozQZlwkkQMAbeN-fGpees_IKDTcmVE9TfRhCZBunhq3SPjN9bFArm6B7MRRjVb-dUvu8SVScJNWRtLwQfE36yvFcZ1Kg3m29xhVoszHiTSw5ufbt8nmiDwBsmhirP03F2rL90vprKfrS_/s1600/DSCF0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozQZlwkkQMAbeN-fGpees_IKDTcmVE9TfRhCZBunhq3SPjN9bFArm6B7MRRjVb-dUvu8SVScJNWRtLwQfE36yvFcZ1Kg3m29xhVoszHiTSw5ufbt8nmiDwBsmhirP03F2rL90vprKfrS_/s320/DSCF0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Allow to cool a little in the tins before turning out onto a cooling rack. Be careful not to get cooling rack marks on the top of the cake - this will lose you points apparently! Once cool, warm some raspberry jam.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy09KW10buMz1GrJmjh7rfV5fzLe1jbkY5qABp1WcNLcOWtqHgZrGi9BD2glyPEu9i6RUrRsngSuhVBDe0RaKG3A_UiOHrO3QqGHcvDgiwaYjGgvmcdZDZ0Ihvt5bu7wsdwhV0DUqYxqPa/s1600/DSCF0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy09KW10buMz1GrJmjh7rfV5fzLe1jbkY5qABp1WcNLcOWtqHgZrGi9BD2glyPEu9i6RUrRsngSuhVBDe0RaKG3A_UiOHrO3QqGHcvDgiwaYjGgvmcdZDZ0Ihvt5bu7wsdwhV0DUqYxqPa/s320/DSCF0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Spread over the top of one of the cakes and then sandwich together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2elNsEvKkc4JgybwzcQYxEFLIOEkfozUDf2u_avrMWFo1a4-ljJOmKOHL5z7jFBKyYQkzaYiCg0KNjAMoZnd5BmWI7qKKpAYfFjdZTAaThtDUVyFYJr4JsK68PBqZfoyTs_0ZEb1kQzg/s1600/DSCF0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2elNsEvKkc4JgybwzcQYxEFLIOEkfozUDf2u_avrMWFo1a4-ljJOmKOHL5z7jFBKyYQkzaYiCg0KNjAMoZnd5BmWI7qKKpAYfFjdZTAaThtDUVyFYJr4JsK68PBqZfoyTs_0ZEb1kQzg/s320/DSCF0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGipOU80evPOzeXX34FX0POUpTk8y8sAeu5pit-j-BjeGIjFEWqbonviuMTRRgEMSrs2I2DeqCxR4CjBDWNKeXMbXY2LfRMJm1oBA-9X6LGbX_gcPhSSdbDVoTg-CaB_NjhIJrXfgaRwu/s1600/DSCF0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGipOU80evPOzeXX34FX0POUpTk8y8sAeu5pit-j-BjeGIjFEWqbonviuMTRRgEMSrs2I2DeqCxR4CjBDWNKeXMbXY2LfRMJm1oBA-9X6LGbX_gcPhSSdbDVoTg-CaB_NjhIJrXfgaRwu/s320/DSCF0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Dredge the top with caster sugar and you're done!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xB7dWi-9fDUYMHcAY1JikfNk4hKERTAhih0LJ5Q08XqGE-KECcOyhVCOV1rqMSjVLTXUPvcDy9VLUHHxrGmZhhQ9K3MoRmAsPj1Z_gGnjxoMxElIVTUSfNpKoE8s9oVuX_FuZCaT3KxJ/s1600/DSCF0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xB7dWi-9fDUYMHcAY1JikfNk4hKERTAhih0LJ5Q08XqGE-KECcOyhVCOV1rqMSjVLTXUPvcDy9VLUHHxrGmZhhQ9K3MoRmAsPj1Z_gGnjxoMxElIVTUSfNpKoE8s9oVuX_FuZCaT3KxJ/s320/DSCF0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-61097644646197880202011-07-27T11:09:00.000+01:002011-07-27T11:09:35.266+01:00Messy Mixing Madness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Yesterday at Pre School some of the children created an activity for themselves, supported by the adults, which involved mixing glue and paint together. This then evolved into adding all sorts of different colours and glitter and then using the resulting substance to make a picture. I began wondering if I could develop this idea to use at home or take it a step further at nursery. I wondered what might happen if I put a whole load of different craft materials and kitchen ingredients on the table along with bowls and spoons and just let the children mix things together in their own way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbq7Jp2T8-Op-2BuQc5yX22vXvIjUCbWc0XAjIBmQ1d5NL1bM7Ijwi3Grktjwybc3LWlHSyQoLGcrjAaf4H2ZsYWl11EBi3FO1g8gWWaQ7H9jS3JM9UXJGNlZMirWFhNZM8_w0uSsV8Us/s1600/DSCF0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbq7Jp2T8-Op-2BuQc5yX22vXvIjUCbWc0XAjIBmQ1d5NL1bM7Ijwi3Grktjwybc3LWlHSyQoLGcrjAaf4H2ZsYWl11EBi3FO1g8gWWaQ7H9jS3JM9UXJGNlZMirWFhNZM8_w0uSsV8Us/s320/DSCF0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I simply went around the kitchen and found the 'ingredients.' We used, flour, salt, bicarb of soda, vinegar, water, yellow and blue paints and some PVA glue. I also found some small tubes of glitter.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDH_wy9kjOTcZyKcSBncoLoO4yxtt3Ge_eXTrlIbtc2MDgRlpGPqQ44Dt8WXLuCV0ndaPb7AoyOthxTEWmDsKCqF2kXObTf7I0JCYEeF9d_XzYVSQhIBUki5e7eCVEJZF2slPRfHhv4jgV/s1600/DSCF0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDH_wy9kjOTcZyKcSBncoLoO4yxtt3Ge_eXTrlIbtc2MDgRlpGPqQ44Dt8WXLuCV0ndaPb7AoyOthxTEWmDsKCqF2kXObTf7I0JCYEeF9d_XzYVSQhIBUki5e7eCVEJZF2slPRfHhv4jgV/s320/DSCF0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>First Girl decided to use the salt. She poured some into her dish. Then she asked for the yellow paint and mixed the two together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3pIPD-SqL3Q0xF5LYXfSACfaP5v0zzAgk_sdydJ0ZdQPq-MoQFDkkg3azh7Dw0a0Aa1avkEbmDQZzE_LA6nfxVNlsFDTMEvfQgXhwfGkHafpKf_u2BRjpOz5qZFRuwir89dYFKq2LrkR/s1600/DSCF0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3pIPD-SqL3Q0xF5LYXfSACfaP5v0zzAgk_sdydJ0ZdQPq-MoQFDkkg3azh7Dw0a0Aa1avkEbmDQZzE_LA6nfxVNlsFDTMEvfQgXhwfGkHafpKf_u2BRjpOz5qZFRuwir89dYFKq2LrkR/s320/DSCF0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Girl has a rotational schema so she really enjoys mixing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hkGp8KuPOV5vcLPcdxgpnHoIIgw6VqhJlMs5Ebpl8Qg6WBwTP1yWaXNX8UlNhAaMq_t8mijAdbgRfIecmFCgAGGivpqx9bNumHPrY63lvzj1M_OkV7sDt0pxYHd9nUL3HTfGIE3XAId8/s1600/DSCF0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hkGp8KuPOV5vcLPcdxgpnHoIIgw6VqhJlMs5Ebpl8Qg6WBwTP1yWaXNX8UlNhAaMq_t8mijAdbgRfIecmFCgAGGivpqx9bNumHPrY63lvzj1M_OkV7sDt0pxYHd9nUL3HTfGIE3XAId8/s320/DSCF0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Some bicarb made the mixture more of a paste and then some vinegar gave it some fizz which was fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNBvc7SGfh37JFVD-7JOo6P54ZBgNB_iMqgtEtCzoGHboLwlCxt6ybKaLjeIjgnMJ5a8qc7c9BcPR9IXEATP1zHQ_KhA83HSWaVUonJI8xLIunos8X32e5wWbKEUTevMmBInFPQ-67mfK/s1600/DSCF0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNBvc7SGfh37JFVD-7JOo6P54ZBgNB_iMqgtEtCzoGHboLwlCxt6ybKaLjeIjgnMJ5a8qc7c9BcPR9IXEATP1zHQ_KhA83HSWaVUonJI8xLIunos8X32e5wWbKEUTevMmBInFPQ-67mfK/s320/DSCF0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Boy joined in a few minutes later and spent about 40 minutes gradually changing his mixture and talking to himself and to me about what was happening.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwTCFoMOpWaBeOwySaqF5tQZW7OuZHNiPNPuaP4yIVzL34iMTfhn8JxaHS-EoGzzJcX8M0q0cb9dTsqVD-_H5_YtZ7QFmeBy-CKiwrSTPmAEvXA9MuGOBbvZtwW5eA9hUaO6yItjsPqcB/s1600/DSCF0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwTCFoMOpWaBeOwySaqF5tQZW7OuZHNiPNPuaP4yIVzL34iMTfhn8JxaHS-EoGzzJcX8M0q0cb9dTsqVD-_H5_YtZ7QFmeBy-CKiwrSTPmAEvXA9MuGOBbvZtwW5eA9hUaO6yItjsPqcB/s320/DSCF0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxthpJI-2NIBW2sJoT04M7aqgRDDlzrQdsmFM25Vay5HIzknGSreXwvJmeF9ut6xBWs0KAGteketntadaSkZgHTl6k2edAJ-pSnPIe3eppkzB2MMUwaYYjGDldyyAkxHVrQAtFI9ozqgka/s1600/DSCF0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxthpJI-2NIBW2sJoT04M7aqgRDDlzrQdsmFM25Vay5HIzknGSreXwvJmeF9ut6xBWs0KAGteketntadaSkZgHTl6k2edAJ-pSnPIe3eppkzB2MMUwaYYjGDldyyAkxHVrQAtFI9ozqgka/s320/DSCF0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fliOeyW4Q-hi0R-ixTl_CcwOqx2D5zLOiVocdhvU68VT0Jv3ksx5Cqprg5EeqK5CQh9whCDevjRegBr0yHdrH2m5qF4ImYHUEY_SPqJin2ySLyJ4RX2AUE2URbt-QadfK5oUQMGK4oue/s1600/DSCF0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fliOeyW4Q-hi0R-ixTl_CcwOqx2D5zLOiVocdhvU68VT0Jv3ksx5Cqprg5EeqK5CQh9whCDevjRegBr0yHdrH2m5qF4ImYHUEY_SPqJin2ySLyJ4RX2AUE2URbt-QadfK5oUQMGK4oue/s320/DSCF0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After he'd used up all the ingredients he asked if he could put his hands in and feel it. I suggested he do this in the sink!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbUDxa0uaeRd9bPc4tX-ZHOeN2YKsyTiTdC27Rpe08JhgapF153GVBv16gOodjOFYxXdO1l9-wLnG6jfxrOtOLwcKVlWL3VBEIegwfU82jv-vxLHX3pKe27WaZztEL-IagfEJjihK76NZ/s1600/DSCF0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbUDxa0uaeRd9bPc4tX-ZHOeN2YKsyTiTdC27Rpe08JhgapF153GVBv16gOodjOFYxXdO1l9-wLnG6jfxrOtOLwcKVlWL3VBEIegwfU82jv-vxLHX3pKe27WaZztEL-IagfEJjihK76NZ/s320/DSCF0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I asked him to describe how it felt and he said 'Smooth, warm, slimy!' If you decide to have a go at this I offer the following advice; open the windows - it was pretty noxious, cover the surfaces, have plenty of cloths at the ready, be prepared for the mixtures to get everywhere - I had to clean the floors and the walls, wear aprons!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJn9YqXirCHymbkHaZj6LnyvY2RpuJWA103nakZ4RjZucEZUvEOcxGCFruAjQ8UEHgtQ81-oFlme5f38HYwUj50KI4bDIEF03mAi-ts3oFKcqyrZ1DNMlxmBSR9LHcX5ICS8bdN_rTXAHo/s1600/DSCF0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJn9YqXirCHymbkHaZj6LnyvY2RpuJWA103nakZ4RjZucEZUvEOcxGCFruAjQ8UEHgtQ81-oFlme5f38HYwUj50KI4bDIEF03mAi-ts3oFKcqyrZ1DNMlxmBSR9LHcX5ICS8bdN_rTXAHo/s320/DSCF0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088942887928563466.post-49285899521983634512011-07-24T20:28:00.001+01:002011-07-24T20:28:30.848+01:00Bingley Show<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIzKgGuCTAF-isNNyobs-Wh__fKuEEgKNTKlDvUdZ2rK_YJdPoot_yv8UsOGcVXQQaozJiRCxy2FxLU038sp_bePghbQYkmjAMh24qtqJJmwmpWFySY_fl5yJkDyg4HLmrikc05D6-T70/s1600/DSCF0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIzKgGuCTAF-isNNyobs-Wh__fKuEEgKNTKlDvUdZ2rK_YJdPoot_yv8UsOGcVXQQaozJiRCxy2FxLU038sp_bePghbQYkmjAMh24qtqJJmwmpWFySY_fl5yJkDyg4HLmrikc05D6-T70/s320/DSCF0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Yesterday we went along to our local Agricultural Show in Bingley - which is our local town. Earlier in the week we posted about the baking and craft items we had been preparing for the show. The children entered chocolate cornflakes, decorated gingerbread men and a decorated paper plate. Sadly, we didn't win any prizes this year but there were so many fantastic entries, it would have been hard for the judges to pick a winner!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6vVW8e0tT2G8khb7Zx0puw1IemgckNoR3bpwtidxQHTvi33NO2lFwP2sxtFBCpJoOt5Bi3JFIWRX_JQSM_QNH-hMJ1GSvkwPP05CAbwFw0WjQgDRxX1vzeBXmk2zfUJlDFOuZtMTmjdg/s1600/DSCF0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6vVW8e0tT2G8khb7Zx0puw1IemgckNoR3bpwtidxQHTvi33NO2lFwP2sxtFBCpJoOt5Bi3JFIWRX_JQSM_QNH-hMJ1GSvkwPP05CAbwFw0WjQgDRxX1vzeBXmk2zfUJlDFOuZtMTmjdg/s320/DSCF0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Some great paper plate craft ideas here. I liked the lion one!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtgSE5cpXPdQmNBmO9PGHo44gWdOuclIpVClX55xJaq5cL1hqM3ZM2vo8TY5ToCuHa4L7_QZd7qE3H66HhOojqQ67vYP4zedmLvhGaM01VfYQPWztHXki_f3fByd07oMnt6-QoTzT89SX/s1600/DSCF0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtgSE5cpXPdQmNBmO9PGHo44gWdOuclIpVClX55xJaq5cL1hqM3ZM2vo8TY5ToCuHa4L7_QZd7qE3H66HhOojqQ67vYP4zedmLvhGaM01VfYQPWztHXki_f3fByd07oMnt6-QoTzT89SX/s320/DSCF0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Homemade Party Hats. Some wonderful creations here - all age 6 and under!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdUfJyPjfpgVVftr-qmKhidfR-kiMl57Qp3Q0gLn020XnkejacKJVJSiQE0EOKHlSP4pABxRdMTJ1MJhdx_D774lXYeLC9dO7e73ZWyfqVkCtQNY-AmklG8aU4TS4UNVwKibHD4Yn0Rks/s1600/DSCF0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdUfJyPjfpgVVftr-qmKhidfR-kiMl57Qp3Q0gLn020XnkejacKJVJSiQE0EOKHlSP4pABxRdMTJ1MJhdx_D774lXYeLC9dO7e73ZWyfqVkCtQNY-AmklG8aU4TS4UNVwKibHD4Yn0Rks/s320/DSCF0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Junk models.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmu5tbGMMYbxI5za_xS4yfUsBs-cvO4deVmDBz_gKmJo6vP18i4GCeajaVRMVZCyrKDJGAde5MGXp3JswzJhfUAnjQDTboG-PyjDBtNm6Icy169KBL0EYEQaZb3DQsdgDNKxa5v3ezTxw/s1600/DSCF0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmu5tbGMMYbxI5za_xS4yfUsBs-cvO4deVmDBz_gKmJo6vP18i4GCeajaVRMVZCyrKDJGAde5MGXp3JswzJhfUAnjQDTboG-PyjDBtNm6Icy169KBL0EYEQaZb3DQsdgDNKxa5v3ezTxw/s320/DSCF0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The gingerbread men. I think I liked the footballer ones best, but they were all good and so interesting to see all the different ideas the children had.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkUgsLizmM5MyF7tcm6wGdnox-aE08YVjiD3PFEt2ljd47j3KFLNYn8vTBBN-TkHM8lq6nfu1xaJLsjvemqao5i-1n09yhGstYvV1vCnjZrQkCXmKgHgjAEwsmLooj5Uq08gysr8e-WPK/s1600/DSCF0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkUgsLizmM5MyF7tcm6wGdnox-aE08YVjiD3PFEt2ljd47j3KFLNYn8vTBBN-TkHM8lq6nfu1xaJLsjvemqao5i-1n09yhGstYvV1vCnjZrQkCXmKgHgjAEwsmLooj5Uq08gysr8e-WPK/s320/DSCF0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There is always so much to see at an Agricultural Show. The livestock classes are really interesting and children just love to see the animals.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjd_1rZjqjLHw_zNbMgPWyOvD0PLh8ynhn7UzNJfOt0KQ5jhYDAnATCjQHaKV6bpI_FiXZxjjykECvCh-I9ieM5x4EBUtPj5S2uVocC7_4m6W8XLL2ZvwcxUjTtyPPUItVQMYFADt1v66/s1600/DSCF0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjd_1rZjqjLHw_zNbMgPWyOvD0PLh8ynhn7UzNJfOt0KQ5jhYDAnATCjQHaKV6bpI_FiXZxjjykECvCh-I9ieM5x4EBUtPj5S2uVocC7_4m6W8XLL2ZvwcxUjTtyPPUItVQMYFADt1v66/s320/DSCF0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As well as all the craft and baking entries there are always plenty of horticultural items to view.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vNp0xrEx2JoNjJTORauPpiOgLFjwt5YH1iQaZZPbMl_ELBUTaFUtw6H5k1CS8JvXPkJ3DtUJkUrUn3VCiPjfovRewIxDM2Z5dcaNcYR1xEoCNkJp85cbE3Eql5AVDwbYTUaxgeRtSXui/s1600/DSCF0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vNp0xrEx2JoNjJTORauPpiOgLFjwt5YH1iQaZZPbMl_ELBUTaFUtw6H5k1CS8JvXPkJ3DtUJkUrUn3VCiPjfovRewIxDM2Z5dcaNcYR1xEoCNkJp85cbE3Eql5AVDwbYTUaxgeRtSXui/s320/DSCF0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyad2wPqtb3GZbkf0oubvAbbvsApsLQ6lkzusCH-NOBrUPrm7LRawg0EtD5AWrIcA_6A7Bm5dpWmx0BrCeEtUrQ3cfYEkrinWrCkl4OoTraQ3TOX5MeeIxKMACKGM7nqm1Kq1NFesstnSd/s1600/DSCF0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyad2wPqtb3GZbkf0oubvAbbvsApsLQ6lkzusCH-NOBrUPrm7LRawg0EtD5AWrIcA_6A7Bm5dpWmx0BrCeEtUrQ3cfYEkrinWrCkl4OoTraQ3TOX5MeeIxKMACKGM7nqm1Kq1NFesstnSd/s320/DSCF0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There were children's entries in horticulture too. Miniature gardens, pictures made using plants and seeds, vegetable creatures.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hsYl4_3oVRcbHfanmPHfXYozfmugwn0ZC5-bpglSzQiNz97SRDAEbfFSLgJXv0Va_M-B-5LHrFWfGmTJ0cQ6U4RNmgAI97VJuVHZDK-3CeL5dUydgFoe_KZI3VmaRsUelDFH5MNPRfcf/s1600/DSCF0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hsYl4_3oVRcbHfanmPHfXYozfmugwn0ZC5-bpglSzQiNz97SRDAEbfFSLgJXv0Va_M-B-5LHrFWfGmTJ0cQ6U4RNmgAI97VJuVHZDK-3CeL5dUydgFoe_KZI3VmaRsUelDFH5MNPRfcf/s320/DSCF0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXK4rFhiELnZVj2Y9e_Y7tTimFIn9dU2FN3FCU86aPAJakFundwhA9gBB-b40BHT-r721N23NmyW7ru_ZK2B04wBe0IBNGKKfSECsdh8MBE-SUU1hMPhrMl3IPu7vZ4TIPeUsZJNJ0OxXI/s1600/DSCF0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXK4rFhiELnZVj2Y9e_Y7tTimFIn9dU2FN3FCU86aPAJakFundwhA9gBB-b40BHT-r721N23NmyW7ru_ZK2B04wBe0IBNGKKfSECsdh8MBE-SUU1hMPhrMl3IPu7vZ4TIPeUsZJNJ0OxXI/s320/DSCF0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So much to inspire us to find new activities and ideas. These kind of shows go on all over the country for most of the summer so there is bound to be something in your area. Find out and go along with your family and enjoy our rural heritage, and perhaps even take part.</div>Helen Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245576829691052397noreply@blogger.com0