Today I took the girls back to the farm 🙂 We have summer passes so I’m planning on making good use of them over the next few weeks. We were so lucky weather-wise; it was like a foreign country when we got there, and it always seems to be cold and windy there! The girls insisted on going to the play village first. Then, we went to visit the animals and they fed turnip to the rabbits. We saw the shetland ponies and the regular ponies and the horse. They’re so gentle; I’d forgotten how much I like them. We used to go horse riding when I was a kid and I’m wondering if it’s too late to take it up again 🙂
Some pygmy goats had been added to the goats’ pen and the girls loved them 🙂 They were really cute 🙂 The bigger goat was trying to escape 🙂 I got some photos of the lovely fluffy clouds outside. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue and the clouds looked like pieces of wool 🙂 The kids played on the tractor slide and went on the barrel rides as usual. Then, we went to see our duck friend with the wig. We found another one with the same kind of hair 🙂 We walked along the little trail to the stream and the fairy house. There was a bubble disco for the kids later in the morning, so we made sure to attend it, even though one of my kids refused to dance 🙂 They had fun popping the bubbles though and each kid got a bag of haribo when it finished, so they were happy about that 🙂
We called in to see the chicks and got a black one today 🙂 After a ride on the go-karts, we went to the cafe to get an ice-cream. I tried the sorbet and it was so nice 🙂 It was perfect for the weather.
For lunch, we had some homemade pizza in the garden and then the girls helped me with chores. I’m always surprised how enthusiastic they are about them (especially because these ones were a punishment!)
After we cleaned, I lit a new Pecan Pie candle and I could almost imagine it being Autumn. I don’t know why I don’t involve the girls every time I do chores, because it is so much easier with their help. Afterwards, I made some Russian Caravan tea and we opened their new art box. It is inspired by the artist Carmella Gross. She made her own stamps and prints, so all the activities are centred around that.
First, we did the body printing activity. I knew it would be the girls’ favourite, and the messiest, but with the easiest set up 🙂 They just had to use a big ink pad and print with body parts to make unique pictures. I thought it was funny when they started printing with their noses. They looked like hens pecking seeds 🙂 They enjoyed printing with their feet too (obviously.) I made one too and it was fun 🙂 We used hands, fingers and elbows too. You can also make psychedelic designs using different colours at once and by using your fist or knuckles 🙂 I love the fact that art box allows kids to go about making things in their own way. Even though they are using the same materials, they come up with such different things. One of my kids tends to make messier, abstract pictures, while the other one made pictures out of her prints 🙂
When I finished mine, I had a look at a book I found in TK Maxx filled with creative prompts. It’s really inspiring and has so many unique ideas in it. It’s really easy to dip into with kids around and has lots of ideas for things to do with them too 🙂
The girls weren’t ready to stop playing with their ink pad, so we did the exploring stamps craft too. The girls had to cut shapes out of foam and then peel the sticker off. Then, we cut out cardboard rectangles to use as the backing of the stampers. The girls stuck their shapes on in whatever configuration they wanted. Then they dipped them in the ink and made new prints. They turned out fainter than the body ones but I liked the fact they were completely different. The girls said they really enjoyed making them, so I’m looking forward to doing the other two crafts with them 🙂
Tonight, I’m going to attempt to write and make some thai curry for dinner. I’m fully expecting my kids to turn their noses up at it, but they do at most things I make anyway 🙂 Then I think it might be time for relaxation in the bath and praying no one wakes up after bedtime 🙂
The Funky Thrifter 