About three weeks ago we finally reached a stage in our parenting journey that I've been looking forward to for years - in fact since even before I became pregnant with Little Miss C. Yes we now have a child who likes Lego! I have such fond memories of my sister and I spending hours and hours building Lego towns on her bedroom floor. I can even remember the strange biscuit tin with St Paul's cathederal on that most of our Lego was kept in. For years I have been creating Amazon Lego wishlists and watching eBay auctions of sets which I had as a child. I've picked up any sets that ... read more
… and the little one said “roll over, roll over” …
That's what we're singing in the C household this week as Master C has learnt to roll over. The slight problem is that he's only properly mastered going from his back to his front and only managed to go the other way by accident rather than intentionally. He's rather proud of this new skill though and practices at every possible opportunity, but he isn't so keen about being on his front for any prolonged period. Hence, I need to keep rolling him back onto his back to keep him happy. It's all very cute to watch, but possibly not so cute when he decides to try it out in ... read more
Ladybird Tuesday: Stone Age Man in Britain
A little bit late with today's Ladybird Tuesday post - apologies! Today is my first book from Series 561, Adventures from History - Stone Age Man in Britain (first published in 1961). This whole series provides a fantastic background into British and world history with most of the books focusing on a famous person and their role in our history. Several kings are included along with the likes of Sir Walter Raleigh, Florence Nightingale and Captain Scott. Some of the others in the series look further afield - Julius Caesar and Roman Britain, and Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt. A recent ... read more
Mummy, I’ve found a curly C!
This is what I could hear being shouted up the stairs at me over and over again as I changed Master C's nappy the other afternoon. Little Miss C been playing with the children's calendar that we'd bought her for Christmas and spotted the letter C in the word calendar at the top. We're now at the stage in LMC's development where she's started to notice that letters are all different and she's beginning to learn what some of those letters are. Her excitement in doing so is infectious and something that I only want to encourage. We drove into the supermarket ... read more
Remembering Matilda Mae
The parent blogging world has been rocked this week by the tragic and sudden loss of Matilda Mae. No family should have to go through what her parents, brother and sister are at the moment and I know I'm not alone in hugging my children just that little bit tighter after hearing the news. Matilda's Mum Jennie is finding great support from the amazing parent blogger community and from the hundreds of people who have been tweeting her and leaving messages of support on her blog. I can't imagine the pain that they are feeling right now, but I do know that the community will be ... read more
Ladybird Tuesday: The Zoo
After numbers last week, today Ladybird Tuesday is moving on to words and a book from the Learning to Read series (series 563) - The Zoo. As with so many Ladybird books this one is written around a subject which appeals to all children - the zoo. The text is very straight forward and designed so that when looked at with the accompanying illustrations it is very easy for a child to work out what it is saying. When this book was first published in 1960 elephant rides were a popular sight at many zoos and you can see the elephant in the above illustration wearing the seat that would have ... read more
Digital Postcard from #TeamHonk in Ghana
Since my last post Team Honk have arrived in Ghana and following them on social media is extrodinary, humbling and emotional. They are out there seeing the good work that Comic Relief have done in the last 25 years and so far they have visited the Virtuous Women's Bakery and a school in the slum areas. This morning I am sat watching Jonathan Ross and Davina McCall (yep three bloggers and now on first name terms with them both!) doing a series of live TV link-ups from a vaccination clinic where Comic Relief money has paid for 1 million vaccines for small babies. As part of ... read more
Honk, honk for Team Honk and Comic Relief!
Blogging is one of those things where some people just don't "get it". They think it a complete waste of time and something that is only done by people that sit at home without enough social skills to go out and interact with the "real" world. Those people who do "get" blogging, and social media more generally, know that it's far more than that and that these days social media really can change the world. Here in the UK there are three particular bloggers who are about to use the power of blogging and social media to help change the world in support ... read more
Ladybird Tuesday: More words for Numbers
I'm sticking with the slightly scientific theme introduced on the blog yesterday for today's Ladybird Tuesday: More words for Numbers. I have to admit that when I picked this book up I wasn't really sure what to expect. What do they mean more words for numbers? Is this a thesaurus with just one entry? I'll let the description inside the cover of the book take over here: When describing the changing approach to the learning of mathematics, the Schools Council observes in "Curriculum Bulletin No. 1" that we can accelerate learning by providing suitable ... read more
A budding little scientist
Whilst out doing a spot of shopping with Mr C and the kids last week I happened to spot what looked like a children's chemistry set in a shop window. Not that uncommon a sight, but always good to see. Once in the shop I noticed that it was actually aimed at younger children that I'd expected with a recommended age of 4+. This attracted my attention and a lovely shop assistance happened to come over and ask me if I wanted to see inside the box. I am so glad she did as that was the start of my love affair with the Learning Resources Primary Science Set. Making a volcano What's ... read more