So we were sitting in a restaurant waiting for the food to arrive and the kids were getting impatient as usual so we needed something fun to occupy them that didn't involve any equipment. So we came up with:
Hand squeeze
We all join hands together in a circle but hold them under the table (so no-one can see them).
One person starts passing a hand squeeze message around the circle.
We started simple with one or two squeezes each time but then made it a little more fun...
The starter sent different squeezes in both directions and saw which came back first - confusing if you're the one who gets squeezes from both sides at the same time.
Much hilarity ensued and the kids stopped climbing the wall and instead wanted to be the one starting the secret messages....
Sunday 10 May 2015
Saturday 25 May 2013
Stickyweed
One of the finest inventions is stickyweed - a small plant that (unsurprisingly) sticks to fur or in our case, clothes.
So whilst out for a pleasant family walk the aim of the game is to get stickyweed onto someone else back without them noticing and by keeping your back clear.
Tactics involve sharing a cuddle whilst subtly placing it on their back or throwing and hoping it will stick. Defence tactics involve wearing clothes which don't let it stick.
As the kids get older I'm sure we'll get a points system going for the number, size and length of sticky weed on the back - but for the moment it's just a laugh trying to get each other without being noticed.
So whilst out for a pleasant family walk the aim of the game is to get stickyweed onto someone else back without them noticing and by keeping your back clear.
Tactics involve sharing a cuddle whilst subtly placing it on their back or throwing and hoping it will stick. Defence tactics involve wearing clothes which don't let it stick.
As the kids get older I'm sure we'll get a points system going for the number, size and length of sticky weed on the back - but for the moment it's just a laugh trying to get each other without being noticed.
Sunday 18 November 2012
Pillow duel
A variation on the pillow/cushion fight.
Two of us stand as far apart as our lounge will allow with one pillow/cushion between us.
We then take it in turns to throw the cushion and hit each other other but we're not allowed to move our feet.
Kinda like dodgeball but with a cushion. Dodgecushion then...
Two of us stand as far apart as our lounge will allow with one pillow/cushion between us.
We then take it in turns to throw the cushion and hit each other other but we're not allowed to move our feet.
Kinda like dodgeball but with a cushion. Dodgecushion then...
How much do you love me?
One fun thing that we do is where I say to the children (although now they say it to me!): "How much do you love me?" and they show me with their hands apart "this much".
"Is that all?"
They move their hands further apart, "this much!"
And this continues until their arms are outstretched as far as they can go and they declare "this much!"
At which point I tickle them under their arms. :)
"Is that all?"
They move their hands further apart, "this much!"
And this continues until their arms are outstretched as far as they can go and they declare "this much!"
At which point I tickle them under their arms. :)
Sunday 15 July 2012
Pillow Fight!
"What is first rule of pillow fighting?"
"Never throw your pillow at your opponent!" my children reply.
Indeed they have been trained well at the academy. For whomever so loses their pillow shall not gain it again. Indeed it shall be turned and used against them by said opponent with nothing to defend yourself with.
"Never throw your pillow at your opponent!" my children reply.
Indeed they have been trained well at the academy. For whomever so loses their pillow shall not gain it again. Indeed it shall be turned and used against them by said opponent with nothing to defend yourself with.
Friday 6 July 2012
Encouragement
This past week we have had our school's prize giving evening and when my children were called up for prizes I whooped and hollered for all I was worth.
Perhaps I make a fool out of myself but I figure I've only got a few of these evening's before they leave school and I want to make them count. I want them to know that I am their number one fan. I want them to know that I think they're great. I want them to know I am proud of them. I want them to know that I am not ashamed to make a fool out of myself for them.
Some people commented to me that I might embarrass my children by doing this (which I confess seemed very odd to me that letting everyone know how much I think of them would embarrass them - but I'm not always known for my sensitivity). So I checked with my children and the radiant faces they gave me as we talked about this spoke more than their words.
When I was a teacher (many years ago) there was a lad in my form group who was just so delightful. Kind, helpful, keen. Everything you would want a student to be. So I asked his parents what was their secret. And they said; "we take every opportunity to encourage him".
I want to do that I want to put courage in my children. I never want them to doubt that I am 100% for them. And I want to write this to remind myself not to forget it.
Perhaps I make a fool out of myself but I figure I've only got a few of these evening's before they leave school and I want to make them count. I want them to know that I am their number one fan. I want them to know that I think they're great. I want them to know I am proud of them. I want them to know that I am not ashamed to make a fool out of myself for them.
Some people commented to me that I might embarrass my children by doing this (which I confess seemed very odd to me that letting everyone know how much I think of them would embarrass them - but I'm not always known for my sensitivity). So I checked with my children and the radiant faces they gave me as we talked about this spoke more than their words.
When I was a teacher (many years ago) there was a lad in my form group who was just so delightful. Kind, helpful, keen. Everything you would want a student to be. So I asked his parents what was their secret. And they said; "we take every opportunity to encourage him".
I want to do that I want to put courage in my children. I never want them to doubt that I am 100% for them. And I want to write this to remind myself not to forget it.
The humble blanket (3)
Today we played a new game with the blanket.
My eldest daughter and I held each end of the blanket and one of the younger children got in it (like a hammock). We then rock it from side-to-side and on the count of three throw them onto the sofa.
They loved it.
My eldest daughter and I held each end of the blanket and one of the younger children got in it (like a hammock). We then rock it from side-to-side and on the count of three throw them onto the sofa.
They loved it.
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