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Topsy & Tim Go Fishing

I've always been a fan of Topsy & Tim and still have some of the books that were read to me as a child.  Now I read them to my children and they love them just as much.  For me it's Topsy & Tim's Bonfire Night that will always be my favorite, but recently we've had a couple of Topsy & Tim moments ourselves.  Earlier in the year, when we had our brief but exciting 'Snowy Day', Sam worked hard to clear the path to earn his Snowshifter's Medal!  More recently, the better weather has allowed another classic reenactment!

Remember the stockings on sticks that their mother makes?  And jam jars with string?  And then there's the naughty donkey that pushes Tim in the river and it all ends in tears, going home without a stickleback.  Still, this is Topsy and Tim, so after a nice warm bath Dad saves the day by going out and getting them a goldfish each.  I mean who wouldn't enjoy a day like that?

Magic

 

Sometimes, in what might be just another ordinary day, a little bit of magic happens! 

Felt revelation

I always presumed that felt making was a complex business.  Then, a few weeks ago me and my son went to a felt making workshop for mums and tots.  I was so surprised to find that within a few minutes we had managed to produce something resembling felt.  Of course he was having the most fun squirting water and soap everywhere, whilst the hard work of agitating was down to me.  Nevertheless, the instructor reassured me that there wasn't much that could go wrong and there was probably no such thing as too much water or too much soap!  Just as well.

I was so encouraged that I decided to buy some supplies to try it at home - this is what we bought ::

And this is what we made : :

Not bad for our first attempt.  My daughter is going to turn hers into a hairband - watch this space!

Little Gem

 

I've been feeling a bit like this lettuce lately.  Small and weak and battered by life.  For a good long time there has been so much to deal with.  Just when you think that there can't possibly be anything else, the car got clamped whilst parked outside the Post Office collecting a parcel. That parcel cost me £150!  I was so angry and resentful about it, I mean you never just have £150 to give away to some ridiculous person who thinks that clamping cars is a good way to spend your life.  

However, after a period of quiet reflection in a dark room, I've decided to move on and not let this bother me any further.  In fact I'm going to be moving on from quite a few things that have lingered long enough in my mind.  I've decided I want a new start and hopefully over the coming weeks and months me and my little green friend here will begin to feel stronger, healthier, crunchier (that's just the lettuce) and generally more ....

  

sparkly!