Kate & Emily

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This morning I shall be on the wireless banging on about making merry inside whilst the weather is so vile outside. Before I get you up to your elbows in cutting pasting and paper mache here are a couple of bigger thoughts for the weekend for you to mull on ……Whether you are with your children this holiday season or if they are away. For some reason wet weather needs planning , probably because it makes most of us feel on the flat and mis side, but the consequence of this vibe spontaneous fun just happens less . We know this weekend is going to be a damp squib so you need to counteract that with a plan of campaign . Day 1 an outing, Day 2 friends or family over, Day 3 indoor capers (see below). • Day 1 Do get outside ,do plan an outing, the library , listings , local museums and National Trust properties will be doing stuff . But it is vital to breathe the air, catch a glimpse of the waterlogged daffs and the buds on the trees. So even if all you can manage is to Cagoule up and brisk walk it round the common or park maybe even break into a trot as Emily did last weekend and has become so infected she plans to take up marathon running, next year……. maybe • Day 2 ‘Let it rain let it rain let it rain ‘Not quite so glamorous at the let it snow jingle but the idea is the same. Think of Easter as Christmas without the presents which sounds a marvellous idea all round. But the idea is on Sunday get some family, friends , neighbours or just your gang round the table for a proper lunch maybe even the traditional Pascal roast Lamb. After lunch play Christmas style parlour games charades and so on on .At the end of this I shall describe in detail our 2 favourites as they are always a hit , she says modestly Day 3 Indoor capers Housekeeping rule. Go easy on the chocolate I can guarantee that nothing is going to make you feel more sluggish , lethargic and less like getting going on indoor fun that a Lindt bunny with a Cadburys crème egg for afters . I know this from bitter experience gained actually last Sunday …..Right so you are inside your eggs are on the shelf all ready to be spread out over the whole year in a controlled and disciplined ,you’ve got a good frame of mind , ruddy cheeks and are chomping at the bit for something to do . Decorative egg making Here is something the children and I have actually tested ourselves today. Fun, messy, therapeutic, creative and decorative all in one. The old balloon and papier mache trick. Blow up balloon, wallpaper paste, strips of paper, cover balloon let it dry. Paint with old white emulsion and then go mad decorating it as you like. Sticking on ribbons, paining you end up with something that could have cost several tens of pounds up west. Pace eggs Dampen uncooked eggs press flowers, leaves against the shell, wrap with onion skins and fasten carefully with string /cotton or an elastic band then boil the eggs. Incredibility beautiful brown shell will emerge Art competition. Bunch of daffs, paper pencils, crayons young and old gather round to create best bit of artwork …prizes all round always a hit. Make a film If you have a digital movie camera this one takes up loads of time some making the film and hours and hours watching the results. This is one of the things that we love doing chez onus and may sound a bit quirky but it really is fun and can involve everyone. Using toys, Lego, play Mobil anything the children rig up a scene. Then just as in Watch with mother in the 1970’s the toys come to life, around a very basic story line everyone improvises whilst one person usually me films. Treasure hunt with eggs around the house Piece of paper 10 very easy clues and eggs hidden all over the shop. Get ready for summer Spring clean Sort out drawers, change the beds clean linen all round look through the clothes, the toys get ready for summer. Then when you have achieved this entire then hole up with the heating on and a DVD on the TV.