Explore and Play

Hibernation has only taken a few weeks to set in but it is well and truely here. Today was beautiful outside though, beautiful and freezing, morning temperatures were at -6. Blankets and pillows now occupy our living room space, Pumpkin is wearing vests under his pyjamas, Bean is wearing full pyjama sets, Plum has set up a nest of duvet and pillows and toys on the top bunk.

Bean, 9, spent his morning watching Pokemon and walkthroughs on the updated minecraft. Our computer is no longer able to run the game and he was a bit upset but comforted a little knowing that we have ordered them a new computer.

Pumpkin, 7, spent his morning creating Skylanders and playing lego games on his tablet. He downloaded a new plants vs zombies game, hatched eggs on dragon city and watched Dan TDM.

Plum, 4, was up three hours earlier than normal after having a very disturbed night (for no reason that i can fathom.) Consequently she lay on her top bunk and watched cbeebies and played cbeebies games all morning. I was surprised that she didn't fall back asleep.

Pippin, 2, swept floors, looked at books, played dollies, watched Bing, drew pictures, played with the kitchen set and was generally very busy.

This afternoon we went to Explore and Play. There was only us and one other family. This is the way that Pumpkin likes it. And Bean was happy too. The boys played outside almost the whole time. They created their own games akin to Capture the Flag. They did also try to make dens and hide outs but it became cramped with everyone trying to squeeze in. The soft stuff was popular too and this is what began the idea of others trying to take what they had. The one on the soft stuff had to protect it and the others had to steal it without being caught. This evolved into the enduring game outside.

The girls mostly got busy with playdough and painting and colouring and enjoying the big pile of soft stuff. Plum painted a rainbow and made cakes and lollypops from play dough.

There was also duplo and lego and junk modelling and autumn craft available.

The smalls all jumped around on the bed for over an hour when we got home giving me time to prepare food. Plum disappeared to watch on her bed again after she had eaten and unsurprisingly fell asleep.

Bean, Pumpkin and Pippin all had a bath, Pumpkin and Pippin together, having a great time splashing each other. Pippin had piles of stories and Bean his usual bedtime read with daddy. They have recently finished a Pokemon novel and now continuing with Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The last Straw.