Yesterday began with our daily walk/scoot on the Greenway. I feel so lucky to have it on our doorstep – it’s like getting a little slice of the woods when you can’t get to them. I think that’s the part of staying at home that bothers me most: not being able to go to forests and the seaside, etc. But the girls found plenty of climbing and exploration opportunities on our walk. They wanted to pose beside a rainbow someone had painted on their fence. They found some “secret dens” along the way. I love the ideas kids come up with when their options are more limited. Sometimes I find the same is true of me, or maybe it just gives me more time to reflect.
After our walk, we drove to McDonalds and got some pancakes/muffins for breakfast. I think it’s important to treat yourself at times like these. One of the benefits of schools being closed is that there is no set schedule – we can go for pancakes whenever we like, even if it means we have to eat them in the car š I quite like sitting with my coffee, listening to music and watching whatever activity there is in the area anyway š Sometimes that’s all you need as inspiration.
After some homeschooling, the girls finished their planets poster. We made one a long time ago and they were much more absorbed in it this time. They selected the colour combinations they thought best matched each planet and then wrote the labels for them. I love the tie dye effect you can get just using tissue paper, pens and water š They added stickers and glow in the dark stars to complete their masterpiece š
Afterwards, the girls decided that it was our fish’s birthday and threw a birthday party for them. I was impressed by the amount of preparation that went into it. They assembled their dolls house furniture, invited “guests” and got the guests to each make their miniature card for the fish. Then they got Alexa to sing Happy Birthday to them š It kept them busy for a long time, but I think Polly and Peppa were oblivious of what was going on š
I made a spice mix for a recipe for chai coffee I wanted to try. It contained cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, etc and even just blending them together created a lovely smell in the kitchen š I saved it for today so I could make some at writing hour/TV time š
The girls devoured the sticky chocolate cake I made the other day, so I made a couple more for them today. I find that having a treat to look forward to in the afternoon motivates them to help me tidy up the toy explosion š
We got out a bead kit my sister got for the girls for Christmas and made some name bracelets and necklaces. I wish I’d thought to make beaded jewellery with them before because it really calmed them down š Prior to that they were running wild, pulling the furniture apart and playing their keyboard on its loudest setting š Even looking at the case of colourful beads cheered me up. I think colour is needed to counteract the washed out colours of Winter š
I finally got a tea strainer so I could make myself some loose leaf tea š My sister also got my favourite popcorn tea for me for Christmas so I made myself some to drink during craft time š I think it’s so cute that there are tiny pieces of popcorn visible amidst the leaves š
At writing time, I lit some candles, put on a new playlist and made myself the chai coffee I made the mix for yesterday. I wasn’t sure if it would compare to Starbucks’ chai tea lattes, and it was completely different but I really liked it. The double shot of espresso was much needed by that time of the day too š It tasted very aromatic and the addition of the honey and frothy milk made it taste like a fancy coffee in a cafe š I used to live near a Turkish cafe in Glasgow and it reminded me of the potent coffee I used to get there. They served espresso in a little silver pot. It closed down, but the memory of the place has stayed with me. I’m planning on trying a new recipe tonight, so I will share the results of it in my next post š For now, I’m just going to treasure the quiet and listen to Louis Armstrong š
The Funky Thrifter 