Kids Gardening

We have recently started to encourage the children to get involved in the Garden.

They do spend plenty of time out there at the moment. But it usually takes the form of tearing about the plant beds digging up stuff with diggers and cars and mashing down anything delicate with footballs and the like.

The whole purpose of undertaking this project was to help encourage greater knowledge of where fruit and veg comes from ultimately, if they plant the seeds and grow the vegtables then they might…they just might eat them.

I know this might be a little bit adventurous, but, it’s the plan.

Garden Insects – Catch and Draw

A few years ago we discovered a stag beetle in the garden.  It scared the living daylights out of my wife and I.  This flying black creature with large claws, all in black and a noisy erratic flight, had us both running indoors.  Only later did we discover what it was.  If you find one, take the time to log it on the Great Stag Hunt website.

But they are magnificent creatures.  Boys will love them.

We also have several slow worms [video] in the garden.  They love cool dark places, preferably under a rock.

Both these animal are terrific for a miniature art project.

Plant some seeds

Every year we go to great efforts to encourage the children to plant veg.  In particular we plant peas and potatoes.  There is usually a mess and the children end up dirtier than the soil.  But when it comes to harvesting the plants we always say, “Who plants to dig up the potatoes”, closely followed by “You planted these…”.  And especially at dinner time we always over-emphasis the point.

But, it seems to work.  They do eat them.

Shortly we shall be planting spring onions.  Already I have my reservations. But I remember reading once that a child needs to try a new food 21 times.  If after that they still don’t bite [pardon the pun].  Go onto the next one.

Become a seed collector

In trying to explain where food comes from we have been recently looking at seeds.  I have just collected a load of poppy seeds from the wild poppies that seem to collect in our garden.  We wait until they dry out and then shake them into a sandwich bag.

For more fun ideas for what to do in the Garden, have a look at the BBC website.

Whatever you get up to in the garden.  Have a enjoy yourself.

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Fun things to do in the summer holidays

This is the last week of school.  Have you made any plans, or are you going to wing it for the next 6-8 weeks?

The Loose as a Moose blog will be taking a break from the usual Kids at school stuff to concentrate on the “kids at home” stuff.

Here is the list of forthcoming topics we will chat about over the Summer break.

• Kids Gardening
• Summer Blockbusters for 2011
• Harry Potter V’s Captain America
• Days out in August
• Video games v’s Days out
• Things to do on a rainy day
• Getting ready for School
• First-time school parents – top 10 tips

Hope you all have a great Summer – get plenty of rest.

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Children’s name tags

The last day of term is when parents and children alike can now start to wind down. So you don’t need to worry about children name tags…for a few weeks anyway.

As the last day of school fast approaches your little ones are ready for dropping with all the stresses and strains of school and home life being released and junior can hopefully get some much needed rest and down time.

I’m not about to tell you that you need to prepare now for the next school term.  Ohh no, no, no. – It’s time to take a break.  I thought it might amuse to offer a reflection on my little one’s first school year and how he faired with his possessions.

To date we have lost or mislaid;

• One pair of school shoes,
• Two jumpers,
• 3 pair of pants – don’t ask.
• 1 water bottle,
• 1 rain coat – retrieved 3 weeks later – thank goodness.

As a parent who was new to the whole school thing.  I’m not sure whether the above list is good or bad – do let me know.

So when all is said in done the first year has been chaotic and a little stressful – but wholly enjoyable.  Can’t wait for little sister to start in September.  Ahhhhh

If I could offer one piece of advice for the first timers in September.  Get your labels earlier.  Label everything and hope for the best.  Enjoy your summer everyone.

If you are interested in planning early, very well done.   All your children’s name tags can be found on our website.

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Birthday stickers make planning children’s birthdays easier

My one hope for my kids, very early on, was that they had lots of friends. This would make the transition into and through school easier – at least in theory.   And having a wide circle of friends meant he would never be short of play dates

But having a wide circle of friends has meant lots of birthday parties and lots of presents.

I will often buy, wrap and label presents in bulk and in advance.  This means that I can simply grab the present as we chaotically run out the door on the way the party.  This may seem slightly procedural and take away any of the niceties of choosing a present for someone.   But, and this is a big but. It save time and a lot of hassle.  I don’t need to tell any parents that time-savers are important in everyday living.

Birthday Stickers

I much prefer using Birthday stickers, rather than the stringy labels. This means that they are unlikely to fall off – thus loosing the necessary information. I have, many a time, lost birthday tags and had to peel open a corner of a present to determine its contents and rightful owner.

Birthday Stickers cost £6.13

You get 32 stickers per pack.
Various designs include, dogs, rockets and girly handbags.

They are a bit fun and are suitable for boys and girls.

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Someone else’s shoes – I need shoe labels

It happens from time to time – lost property at school.

My eldest sons goes to school with all the right clothes and then occasionally, comes back with someone else’s.  In this particular instance he has come home with someone else’s shoes – and they are too small.

I’ve spent the past few days texting other parents, talking to them in the play-ground and asking teachers for help. All to no avail.

I suppose, I should have used some form of shoe labels.

The shoe labels cost £2.54 for a pack of 24

Clear Shoe Labels

The labels are waterproof and are clear.  work in  or sometimes know as shoe labels

In teh meantime I will try and track down these errant shoes.

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