Bunting Biscuits, Diary Dates & Crown Craft

After two weeks of isolation, we have been making the most of our freedom this weekend 🙂 Thankfully the weather was cooperative for once. The last couple of weeks have been filled with baking, time in the garden and art projects. I tried a new bread recipe and my daughter helped me to make some flapjacks. My boyfriend kindly sorted out my garden and it now looks like a different place. I got some magazines for the girls and they have been sunbathing in the garden, sitting with their feet in the mini paddling pool and eating lots of ice lollies. I’ve got back into making my own lattes and mochas 🙂

I did a couple of new paintings this week and I’m going to add them to my Etsy shop soon. We used the Jubilee as inspiration for a few activities. I found a recipe for bunting biscuits online, so we tried making them. After baking and icing the biscuits, (and cleaning millions of sprinkles off the floor :)) I decided that threading them all onto the string was a step too far! So we just displayed some of them with string and the rest of the biscuits didn’t last very long 🙂 I always find that no matter what the girls are doing, if I suggest icing anything, they immediately rush to the table 🙂

On our first day out, I drove to the McDonald’s drive thru to treat the girls to a milkshake each. I brought some cookies and coffee and I parked the car so we were looking out at the sea. Then, we went for a walk on the beach. It was so refreshing being in the sea air and it definitely cured the feelings of cabin fever we have all been experiencing this month 🙂 We looked for pretty shells and the girls spent ages jumping across a little stream 🙂 They made some sand mounds and decorated them with twigs and shells.

When we got home, we played a crown treasure hunt game. I just hid one of the girls’ tiaras and they had to find it. They got sweets as a reward 🙂 They did some Jubilee-themed activity sheets that were available online. We had some pasta in the garden and I enjoyed the scent of the jasmine that is thriving on the fence.

On Saturday, we went to the Mac for a kids’ workshop that is actually on this weekend 🙂 I had a blonde moment, but it was rectified by a visit to the family room and some time spent in the cafe 🙂 The girls loved the family room – it’s where the workshops for kids are held and there is a great selection of art supplies, puzzles, books, toys and a teepee 🙂 The girls loved playing in the tent. They also have an imagination station for kids in the reception area. It’s a colouring and crafting area where kids can help themselves to art supplies and look at art books for inspiration. Afterwards, we went to the cafe for a treat. I love the fact they have vegan brownies since I’m lactose intolerant 🙂 We found a quiet booth and the girls and I had brought our diaries to write in. I was surprised that they both made proper journal entries this week about the details of their days 🙂 We played Hangman when they were getting restless and my boyfriend ended up sharing most of his hot chocolate marshmallows with the kids 🙂

After that, we grabbed some lunch supplies from Gregg’s and walked to the City Hall. We had a picnic on the grass and then explored the continental market. We got some freshly made macaroons and the girls were delighted to find the Pic ‘n’ Mix stall 🙂 They got a bag of sweets to share and carefully chose what they wanted to put in it 🙂 I love walking around the market (when it isn’t too busy!) Even if you don’t buy much, it’s a treat for the senses because there is so much of interest to look at and so many delicious smells 🙂

We wandered back towards 2 Royal Avenue, which has become a venue for community events. They were holding a Jubilee celebration day and we went to the kids’ sensory storytime. We had to sit inside a huge plastic bubble and we listened to storytelling which involved applying honey-scented hand cream, catching bubbles, eating Malteasers and throwing confetti 🙂 The kids loved it.

We followed it with the craft station they had set up where kids could make crowns on sticks 🙂 The girls loved assembling them and decorating their crowns with gemstones, ribbons and glitter 🙂 The ladies that were working at the stall were so friendly and helpful. We got a latte to share from the pop-up coffee shop while they crafted 🙂

There were some stalls set up where people were playing chess, building with blocks and selling various products. There was a vintage hairstyle stall where you could pay to get a vintage updo and they were doing them for kids too. I thought it was a nice idea 🙂

Afterwards, we went to the free screening of the Queen’s Corgies in the same building. We got cones of free popcorn and that kept the girls sitting still for part of the movie 🙂 When their interest was waning, we went for a walk in the sun and returned home 🙂