Childhood Challenges

Get free images here

So this week I introduced my 3 year old to Hopscotch.  She's really into numbers and hopping at the moment, so it was a bit of a no brainer.  But it got me wondering how many of our kids have played it and how many other things, that past generations have come up with, are they missing?

The National Trust launched a new programme last week, called '50 things to do before you're 11 and 3/4'.  Lots of it is quite simple stuff, but some things will definitely take us a while to cross off.  You can see the list here.

And find out more here from the National Trust here.

It also got me thinking about a new small gift idea for kids.  I could add a 'Childhood Challenge' to their cards.  Here are some examples:

'Before you're 4, learn how to play hopscotch' (and include a piece of chalk), 'Before you're 3, grow some cress' (include a sheet of toilet paper and some seeds), 'Come egg rolling with me this Easter', 'Set fire to a leaf using a magnifying glass' (not sure their parents will thank me for that, but at least I didn't suggest a small creature or sibling ;-)

Am always on the lookout for other creative, outdoor, simple ideas...suggestions on a postcard.

Is homemade OK?

As I'm progressing through this year and trying to come up with more homemade ideas for gifts, I'm facing the question of whether giving people homemade things is OK.  Some things that I make, I'm quite happy to give people, especially when it comes to cards...I guess I expect them to end up in the bin after they've sat on shelves and mantlepieces anyway, and they'll be up there with lots of other cards and even hidden behind others, if people don't like them that much (or is it just me that orders cards in such a way ;-)

Here's one I made earlier...my brother-in-laws' first anniversary is today, and I was more than happy to give them this one, and even think it's quite good ;-)

Recycle old maps by cutting out shapes from relevant areas

But when it comes to the actual gift element, I'm finding it more of a challenge.  For some reason, giving a child something homemade and creative, rather than an expensive bit of wood carving, or, more likely, a piece of molded mass-created plastic, makes me feel more nervous.  Will the parents look at it and shudder, will it automatically end up in the bin?

And gifts for adults are quite a challenge too...I've reverted to making edible things, but even the Piccalilli I made the other day has left me wondering whether it's OK to give as a gift.  Having never eaten any before, or made it, it looks colourful, but what if it's disgusting!

I wonder if it's because we're now so used to shop bought stuff, and that ironically there is now a whole (pretty expensive) market for 'homemade' items, that have been made in someone elses home, but have an impressive quality about them.  And it's unrealistic to believe that my random attempts will match the quality of the cottage industry's supply of 'homemade' creations.

I've always invested lots of time in every gift I've ever bought...it's important to me that it shows that I value and love the person.  That I'm glad they're around and that the gift, hopefully conveys some of that.  But if the person doesn't like it, I'm not worried if they pass it on or recycle it in someway.  I'd much prefer that to it being in their house when they really don't like it, just for my benefit.  So I hope the same applies to my homemade gestures, and I need to stop being worried about gifts being labelled 'another Clare creation' in a negative way...and live in the 'it's the thought that counts' moment, and not feel that I'm being judged on it.  (There's definitely richness in this less stuff, but the cost is just different.)

Topsy Turvy Easter

So the weather got it all wrong this year...we had glorious sunshine on Friday and enjoyed sitting at the Hot Walls, and then had a slightly damp breakfast at the Beach Hut on Easter Sunday.  But it's been another good Easter weekend, and as ever started with a great veggie meal with the justice gang on Thursday evening.  Leaving that evening, via the quiet room with candles, thorns, nails, wood, a hammer etc, jogs the mind to think on what Jesus must have gone through that night before it all kicked off.  (And birth experiences have definitely helped bring something more to the empathy; facing something that you know has to happen, and can't avoid, the rest of the world being asleep etc.)

Sadly a little one year old's lack of sleep (think probably relating to first year jabs...all three in one sitting!), led to being very tired at 8am on the beach on Sunday, but it was great, as ever, to celebrate the world changing, and Jesus coming back to life.  It's been a great weekend of spending time with our Portsmouth family.

Start of Spring

It's been a while since my last post, and I'm not sure why that is; partly I haven't managed many free moments, and partly I'm not sure there's anything new to write about.  

Life ticks along, but some progress has gone on in the garden, thanks to some beautiful March weather.  The shed is in situ.  Lots of little seeds have been planted...am not filled with confidence that they'll be a giant harvest, but my little helper more than makes up for my fears...hope she's not too disappointed.

Work juggling, with poorly little people, household tasks, play groups and weekends with visitors has made life feel very full.  Lots of lovely moments hidden amidst lots of routine.

Recycling continues, but I need to work on the compost bin in the back yard.  It's a very enclosed space (even more so with the new shed now), and on warmer days, the aroma is a bit strong...reminds me a micro brewery!  I've found out that Lush recycle all plastic bottle tops, and we're now a disposable nappy free house (good, other than there's no room for error on the supply of clean terries!).

Gift making continues, with recently some Piccalli (a first) and more home-made cards.  I'm now trying to get a month ahead, as otherwise I'm feeling rather too much last minute pressure to create, but it's easier said than done.

Tiredness is definitely having an impact on the spring in my step (and it is a rainy morning as I type), but as with all journeys, the honeymoon period is over, and effort is now required to find deeper richness.