tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post5247437410873785088..comments2024-03-18T00:53:33.065+11:00Comments on in all honesty: from the archives: school holidaysJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538502318975037711noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-36536899092406028972009-04-10T08:28:00.000+10:002009-04-10T08:28:00.000+10:00Thanks, Bec.Something I've realised again this sch...Thanks, Bec.<BR/><BR/>Something I've realised again this school holidays: don't schedule something every day! <BR/><BR/>Some kids need to get out every day, but with 4 kids happy to play noisily and energetically in our house and garden (mostly going down the driveway on bikes!) we don't need to get out so much. <BR/><BR/>We've got people who like their space and quiet time at our place - above all, mum! - so it's good for us to have some family days at home. Otherwise we get overtired and grumpy, and any extra home tasks don't get done.<BR/><BR/>And I HAVE been enjoying having time just to sit around with the kids and play games, build lego, do craft, play chasey, and all those fun activities I'd forgotten about in my busy life! It's reminded me that I'll have to keep making time for them.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01538502318975037711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-21008042067749892622009-04-10T03:49:00.000+10:002009-04-10T03:49:00.000+10:00We find the morning=in, afternoon=out idea general...We find the morning=in, afternoon=out idea generally works well for us too. Occasionally we do things the opposite way, but generally, mornings are when we try to do things out so that people are fresher and less grumpy (both the kids and me!).<BR/><BR/>Holidays have already started here and we're doing a bit more cooking together than usual, especially related to Easter or spending time with friends. We just bought my almost 2yo son an apron so he can join in a bit more. We're also getting ready for my 4yo daughter to go to a morning-only pre-school programme at the local school (eg buying a new drink bottle and uniform items, filling in an 'about me' sort of book etc). Because the weather here in the UK is getting warmer and more outdoorsy, we're also really enjoying spending a bit more time outside.<BR/><BR/>Becmattnbechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01885771993409495143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-15515169699569574912009-04-07T09:13:00.000+10:002009-04-07T09:13:00.000+10:00Thanks for some great suggestions, Anna! I love th...Thanks for some great suggestions, Anna! I love the activity which "gets the wriggles out". <BR/><BR/>Meredith, I really like what you say about morning / avo - great pattern. And also what you say about not having friends around until everyone has settled into holidays - another excellent point to remember. I probably do that unconsciously without even thinking about it, because it's such a relief to have everyone home, and we all need a quiet few days - but it's good to see it in black and white.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01538502318975037711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-39819615114274036962009-04-06T23:45:00.000+10:002009-04-06T23:45:00.000+10:00At our place we are going to work towards being ou...At our place we are going to work towards being out in the morning and in during the afternoon to try to get the balance between fun and adventure with enough down time to rest. That seemed to work pretty well during the summer. <BR/><BR/>Oh, and I have learned my lesson through "painful" experience of not having friends over for the first few days until we have rediscovered our own family's equilibrium - adjusting back to everyone being at home and needing to share toys and parental time/attention all day long. <BR/><BR/>Happy holidays!Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11797493488173742152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-52778792820159442842009-04-06T21:21:00.000+10:002009-04-06T21:21:00.000+10:00Hi Jean,A great book for 3yrs up to primary is Gos...Hi Jean,<BR/><BR/>A great book for 3yrs up to primary is Gospel Light's Big Book of God's Amazing Creation. It is packed with little activities to do arranged around days of creation, eg. light, sky and water, dry ground and plants etc. It is photocopiable too.<BR/><BR/>Another stand-by in our house is a block of wood, nails and hammer, and wool to weave around the nails when you're done. That one gets a lot of the niggles out.<BR/><BR/>Hope you all have a great holiday,<BR/>AnnaAnnanoreply@blogger.com