Hiding

It is so easy to hide behind your own front door, behind your children, behind your partner.
But occasionally, when you summon the courage to step forward, you are surprised by the warm welcome waiting for you. This week has been a little like that. Friends have been wonderful and generous to a fault, bringing smiles and laughter, hugs and kisses, and chocolate and wine.

I have had a lovely birthday/birthweek extended through the generosity of friends.

Layers of leaves hiding from the glare of the sun.
Laughter behind the cow parsley.
Hiding in the willow maze.
Giant splashes of yellow pop out from simple green buds.
Bubbles blown into a  milk shake.
The elusive S was hiding under an elephant.
A surprise Raaawr!


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365project week 7 2013

I've been making things this week. Handy Mummy. That's me.
And the Princess has been very complimentary about my creations too. I would go so far as to say she has been gushing. She must be after something.

I have made:
Pancakes.
Hula Hoops monsters.
Art out of milk cartons.
Icicles (I didn't actually make these, but I did make a fire, which counts.)
A pink frothy birthday cake for The Mr and the Princess to share. And I made them smile.
Some crocheted wrist warmers.
And a heart for my Mr who is my rock.


Linking up with the Queen of 365, The Boy and Me. Do pay a visit.

Silent Sunday

Frightfully Frugal Party

Today we had a birthday party for the Big One. He is 8 on Friday. I still blame the fireworks and trick or treaters for my waters breaking! But I digress.


Somehow, rather by accident than careful planning, we managed to give him a frightfully (Halloween themed) frugal birthday party. Not that I am complaining. All the more pennies for keeping my wine level stable.

We decided to hold his birthday party in a local wood, The Spinney, which with lottery funding and continued donations, has been turned into 5.5 acres of woodland adventure park. It is easily big enough to contain and entertain 24 children to the point of exhaustion. The only disadvantages are connected to our climate and a birthday in late Autumn. But, a wood in Autumn is pretty fantastic and even if it did rain (for a little while) the kids didn't care and parents were cosy in a shelter.

Cost of venue: a donation to keep this community project going.

I made up a treasure hunt game where the kids had to find letters I had hidden around the wood to spell out a word.

Cost: 10p for card to write letters on. An hour of my time to draw treasure maps.

I cooked sausages at home, bought rolls and ketchup, bought crisps and decorated oranges for our picnic in the woods. They demolished the lot. I also asked parents to bring flasks of hot water so we could all have hot chocolate, tea and coffee to keep warm.

Cost: £13 for the food.

I boiled a couple of eggs, peeled them and coloured them to look like eyeballs.  We then played an eyeball and spoon relay race over a wobbly bridge and through a ditch.

Cost: 2 eggs so about 50p

I was instructed by the birthday boy, to make a cake to resemble a pumpkin. I did as I was instructed and believe I achieved a passing resemblance.

Cost: About £7 in ingredients plus £1 for the marvelous plastic spiders, cockroaches and bats.

I then made some party favours, inspired by a photo I found on the interwebulator. Lollipop ghosts.

Cost: £2.49. £1 for a bag of lollies and £1.49 for googly eyes. I had the fabric and wool already.

Looking at the faces of everyone, and the muddy knees and sticky fingers, I think it was a success which just confirms my belief that you really don't need to spend a fortune on a birthday party.

Now what is frightful is the blatant drive-by trick or treating, but that is another blog spot.

Right, I need a well earned drink.


Joining in with The Gallery at Sticky Fingers.

SilentSunFunDay

#SilentSunday

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