Good morning Thursday

[Mouse]

It's a cold morning, but we've got a lovely bright blue sky so everyone's happy and lively. Yesterday was wet and miserable and the children were all grumpy. The weather definitely has an impact on their moods. Hopefully we'll get a lot more done today than we did yesterday!

We're going to start working on some Autumn crafts today and we'll try leaf printing in the garden. Has anyone every tried leaf or flower hammering? I'd like to try it with the children but I'm not sure what sort of fabric to use. I did see one tutorial that said you could use brown paper, but I'm not sure how successful that would be.
What are some of your favourite autumn crafts and activities?

Have good days everyone :D

[loocyloo]

It's grey and drizzly again here! Not quite as wet though! Got the window open as usual and it's cold!

Got a 12 mth, 22 mth, and 26 mth old ... no one interested in craft of any sort!

Busy with the farm, noisy electronic toys, ball drop toy and lots of stories and songs! They don't want me to play ... just sit by the books!

[Maza]

Yes Mouse, we did that activity with leaves. We did it at at an activity afternoon at a farm - I didn't set it up. It was great. The lady said calico fabric is best and also, don't choose leaves which have a sheen on them (like holly leaves - not that you would chose holly, but can't think of another example) because they wont release as much colour.

I had my little one this morning. We did lots of playing with the trains, dinosaurs and tea set and watered our plants. I wanted him to 'decorate' a label for his box (a plastic box where he can put all his things/shoes etc) but he wasn't interested at all.

Mouse, I love all the autumn crafts, autumn playdough and autumn themed messy play stuff which are all over pinterest. One activity (not craft) which kept the little ones interested for ages was autumn leaf threading. We did it at Forest school, so again not my idea. The children each had a blunt needle and thread and it was really easy for them to make a garland using real autumn leaves that they found in the forest.

I've just taken in a big amazon delivery. A new highchair and travel cot - mindee is staying for lunch and nap tomorrow, and a safety gate so that I can lock the dog out of the playroom! I lock him out anyway, but he sits and cries at the door (even though DH is at home in a different room which the dog usually loves). I'm hoping that if he can actually see us he won't cry.

[Pixie dust]

Another crazy Thursday with my 2 x 2 year olds, one has gone home now so things will calm down I have spent most of the morning being the referee between the two its exhausting. The trouble is one of them has two older brothers and is a lively character whilst the other is very sensitive and today she has cried at every little thing today anytime anyone has gone near her or if someone is playing with something they want they cannot wait and will just cry! She gets so tired but has started to not nap which doesn't help at all. Alongside all this I have a 4 year old to keep busy and then swap the morning 2 year old for a 3 year old !

We have started some Autumn based activities leaf printing etc but the children are more interested in playing shops and cafes at the moment.

[loocyloo]

Ooo Maza, I'd forgotten about leaf threading!

I've got 2 asleep and 22 mth old is busy filling the sand tray with stones and mark making/ pattern making.

[Dragonfly]

I’d forgotten about leaf threading also.