Champ is 10!!!

It's official, I am now old! I have a child who has reached the age of double digits!!!! 10!

Champ wanted a sleepover on his birthday. It has been a while since we have had a boys only party, so it was fun coming up with boy activities after so many girls parties.
The boys arrived at 4pm. We decided to get them to cook their own supper. In fact a lot of the activities were based on being outdoors. Unfortunately, it started raining just before the boys arrived, so Hubby and Gran set up a little shelter.

Getting some logs to sit on around the fire.

collecting sticks to put sausages on.

After supper we set up the shooting range.

Earlier in the day I made some flour bombs made from stockings and flour.

First the boys took turns in throwing the bombs to hit the various bottles which were worth different points. A score board was set up.

Kiki spent time by the fire with Gran.

Then out came the paintball gun. We hadn't told any of the boys, including champ, that we had it and they were all so excited. There were safety goggles and very strict rules!

They had to get through 500 paintballs!

After every round, and after the gun was safely handed to hubby, the boys would run up to the targets and inspect them for damage :o)

Hubby couldn't resist playing too :o)

We all then went inside to warm up with a chocolate fondue. I got water in it though so wasn't quite as runny as it should have been :o( The kids were all happy with it though.

After that, the kids decorated Champ's birthday cake. It was Champ's idea. We got LOTS of chocolate bars that the kids had to break up and decorate to look like a bonfire.

The cake started falling apart after having so much chocolate shoved into it :o)

It was then topped with sparklers.

Back outside to play with flour bombs and sparklers.

After the sparklers the boys played games in the dark like stalk the lantern and hide and seek. And then went into the fields with torches to look for wildlife.

Back inside for hot chocolate and to get ready for bed.

Pretending to sleep :o) They then watched a DVD before going to sleep.

In the morning they played with candle boats. They had to blow the boats to the other side without blowing out the candles. It took some time but they eventually got the hang of it :o) I still had a few other activities that we didn't get to do but I guess it is better having too many activities rather than too few :o)
The last 10 years have been fun. I hope that we can say that for the next 10 years :o)

Plaster of Paris Creations

My children have always loved this activity. Although we do have bought molds, the kids like to make their own using their favourite solid toys.
First get out the old batch of playdough from the fridge.
Roll it into a smooth ball and then shape it to a size just a little bigger than the toy.

Get your toy and squish!
and you have your mold.
Then pour in the plaster of paris.
Kiki's donkey.
Once dry, peel back the playdough and leave to dry further.


Then paint.



Ta da!
You can also use with natural 'toys' like pine cones, acorn cups, fossils, shells and even animal footprints. The soft playdough can be replaced with plasticine for a more solid mold although more expensive.

Treacle Toffee!

We decided to take a day off from gallivanting about the place and just spend the day at home.

I have been reading Percy Jackson to the older two, who are loving it! They wanted to know some more about the Greek myths so we decided to start a lapbook on them. Today we read about Pandora's box.

The younger two sharpening pencils whilst the older two are working on some maths problems :o) and yes, those are a pair of skeleton legs hanging down.
Winter is coming! I found Googs and Kiki in front of the heater again :o)
With bonfire night coming up soon we decided to make some treacle toffee.

455g soft brown sugar (not demerara)
230g treacle or dark molasses
110g butter
2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp white vinegar

Melt butter with water and vinegar.

Add the sugar and treacle on a low heat to help dissolve the sugar. Then whack up the heat to get a good boil. DON'T STIR. until you get to soft crack stage, or just before if you want it chewier.

pour into a well greased pan. leave to cool for a while and mark before too hard. Then break into pieces when cool and cover with cellophane.


The spoon was cooled in cold water before my taste tester gave his opinion.
marked ready for breaking.
tasting
Yup, perfect!
I just love the deep flavour of treacle. After we had eaten some toffee we all marched upstairs to brush our teeth. Making your own sweets really makes one aware of how much sugar goes into them!