Calm

This boy, when did he get so big?
It seems like only yesterday that he was sat playing with his trains in Nana's conservatory. With his little chubby cheeks, pouty lips and inquisitive fingers!

Yesterday we had friends over for an impromptu play date so after Mr Bee had ditched his school uniform, I suggested getting out the wooden train track.
His little face lit up. Before his friends arrived, he sat so peacefully, building his track. Busy but calm and quiet. No sign of any baby chub, this little one is growing up fast!

Pretend Play

What is better than throwing a pretend tea party when you are three? 

Role playing is such a crucial  part of a childs learning and development that it should always be encouraged. This afternoon Mr Bee cracked lots of eggs to make an 'eggy stew' which he whisked, added oil to his pan, poured milk into the mixture. Lots of skills which he has learnt from watching and helping me in the kitchen has been processed in his little head, to go into his own tea party for his imaginary friends. He even went to the 'shop' to buy cakes and made cups of tea and did the washing up after they had gone home. 

It was a beautiful day

Mermaid

Brio

Unsettled boy today. Barely a wink of sleep all night meant having to forfeit a birthday party in favour of Mama cuddles and brio. I hope he feels better and gets some more rest tonight.

Bank Holiday Weekend

This bank holiday weekend has been a slow one,  reading lots of books, playing with toys and cleaning ready for Papa Bees return.

 Mr Bee insisted that we wore silly things on our heads a lot!

Maypole

Big shoes and Little shoes

Nappy cart...

Helping put the nappies away

Snugglies with Grandad

 This one is for my fellow Border-ites. I have been inspired to re read Jane Eyre, and I am loving it so much more than the first time I attempted to read it. I only got a quarter of the way through. That was in 2006, documented by the 'yellow sticker', signed by Ian.
Discovering I didn't have a bookmark, I made some for the family.

 Even Mr Bee, who is thoroughly engrossed in Babar at the moment. We are slowly working through, a little each night. He loves it :)

beautiful boy

Waldorf/Steiner inspired play

We have been attending a local Steiner play group on a Friday morning and we have been trying to bring some of the aspects into our home.

Months ago, you may have read about the treasure basket that I created for Louie out of natural 'untoys'. Basically, I have been expanding that, adding new treasures and finding other more natural things for Louie to play with.

This afternoon, I have had a clear out of some of Louie's toys. A clear out and he is only 13 months old! He has so many toys, 80% of which are plastic, that have been given to him. So I have been selective and some that are just plastic toys which aren't educational are moving upstairs. Within 5 minutes of doing this, Louie was playing with his other toys much more contently, and conscientiously than before. I really think there was too much clutter there.  

Myriad has become my new favourite website, looking through all their beautiful toys and books. I recently placed my first order for some things for our seasons table.

On our season table, we have a baby chick and lamb wooden figures to signify that spring brings new life. We have a wooden egg to remind us of the gifts that we receive at easter. And importantly we have the candle in the centre of the table. I intend to add to the table, depending on the seasons, but we have started it now in preparation for when Louie is old enough to understand all about it. We also have books about the spring and easter to read. I intend to keep fresh flowers on the table too, haven't had a chance to get any yet.

The beginnings of our spring table.

Dolly, the waldorf doll

Our new toy baskets

Louie, 02/11