THOUGHTS

This challenge has been great. I've learnt a lot in terms of ways of working and appreciate that in collaboration with young ones, the pieces ought not to become too personally precious. Their imprint is important and the little things that they say and do in relation to the making of the work, as well as the different interruptions, all contribute to the working process and make the pieces what they are. I think that when making work with young ones it's good to have some sense of what you'd like work on but, at the same time it's possibly best to go with the flow of things and minimize on the stress, maximizing on the creative gaps, truly listening to their inputs and acknowledging your appreciation for the fact that they are such a major, beautiful part of your life.

ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

DAY 12

Bachgen off nursery today because of snow. Bit of a novelty making a snowman. Baban still not too sure what all the fuss is about. Bachgen said "this is not a snowman, it's a snow-angel!"

Yes indeed, even better!

And yes, Bachgen wanted his snowman to look like the one in the 'CareBears' book, but he didn't want the ears... fair enough.

ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

DAY 11

Bachgen said that he'll do the cutting. Then he did some gluing too. Then he did some mark-making. In between 'hide-and-seek', 'duvet-sea-with-monster' play and with the constant musical accompaniment of Baban's new Thomas tank engine bubble machine, we managed 6 ' thank-you-for-amazing-Christmas-gift' cards.

ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

DAY 10

So okay, I must admit that I hadn't realized how slippery potato stamps are. What a mess!

Baban's looking in the mirror. His vocal sounds are so varied now.

Bachgen made no mess at all, although I did request that he paint/print without his 'lightening McQueen' jeans on. Both my hands are covered in paint. Who said that I'm a perfectionist...ha!

And now the aroma... nappies-changing-time.

Bachgen said the twine made it look "not fabulous". Star-shaped stickers to the rescue.

ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

DAY 9

It snowed a little last night. Bachgen and I heading to Tesco's for breakfast stuff. Remnants of snow on ground. A few suggestions, but he's got the camera! I love the way he snaps our world.

Second calamity Bachgen slipped on ice outside our front door. He's okay though, no tears, still smiling.

ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

DAY 8

'drink ah rum and ah punch-a-creama, drink ah rum...'

Daddy sent me sorrel about 4years ago! We've boiled the last of it and made ice-cubes.

With Baban happy on my hip, Bachgen crushed the cubes, added the orange and lime and soda water and a hand-full of sugar to garnish:)

We enjoyed the icy crushed bits through the straw. No stress this rounds. He's very excited about Christmas.

Steph and G

DAY 8

Well we are into the New Year, And starting as we mean to go on; demolishing a box of Quality Street, we were heartened to find out that the plastic coloured wrappers are compostable. Impressed by this we were inspired to turn the box into something. 'A Castle like Princess Rosa lives in' said G, turning the card and the sweet papers around and picking up the scissors. In the event, G found cutting up the wrappers was very nice and I was delegated cutting a castle shape out of the box card. I took requests as to the shapes of the windows, and what a joy to use plenty of cello-tape to stick the wrappers over the window to make stained glass panes. 'It is not a church you know Mummy, did you think it was a church? it is a winter castle, with a cold tower and a warm tower where you have your bedroom.' We all picked which room we would have if we stayed there. no surprise that G picked the heart shaped window room, putting Nanna in the yellow room , and me in the green room. I t looks nice with the light shining through anyway.

ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

DAY 7

Red furry fabric bits all over the carpet! Bachgen using it as a blanket. Ought to get the heating on I suppose...

Steph and G

DAY 7

Boxing day and I realised my promise to make christmas cookies had better be honoured soon. G has been hopefully carrying around cutters for a while. So...main ingredients should be chocolate and cocoa according to g reading from recipe book, with butter sugar and flour. We had a good time syringing in the required 30 ml of water with a 5ml syringe. for some reason Grandad finds this off putting, but G has great skill in measuring with it now, resisting temptation to water pistol onlookers until very near the end. Result...far from perfect, supposed to be holly leaves and doves of peace..however smell fantastical, G and now very interested older sister K pronounce them a success and prove it by eating one of each shape before they are properly cool..