Easter Crafts, dandelion juice and a super hero

We didn't get off to a good start last week. The plumbers were fitting the toilets, an easy job we thought until an electrical cable was drilled through. Then Geoff lost his keys and I got a really awful headache. We had to move lots of our stuff quickly for the plumber, so we ended up with a big pile of clothes, toys and shoes in the middle of our home ed room!
As the week went by I got more and more tired. I was pleased when Geoff took the day off on Thursday, it gave me chance and space to think. I de-cluttered and sorted the messy pile and organised a lovely day of Easter crafts for me and the kids...

I love to see the children together, all doing different things, but happy being together. It's a question I have to answer a lot, 'How do you manage the different ages?'

Reuben played with the tadpole and caterpillar set.

Jemima and Rosanna made foam flowers and butterflies.

Imogen started this lovely craft set.

By 10 o'clock, we had started making buns!


Imogen made this Easter plaque out of Lego, she drew out the design first on paper.
Imogen says I've infringed her copyright, so if you want to see her version, click here
In the afternoon we went up to the big garden to enjoy the amazing sunshine.

We had our first barbeque of 2012.

Our six new little ladies, SURVIVED, their first fox attack.

As I was weeding, Reuben decided he wanted to make dandelion juice. There were plenty to pick in the garden.
We pulled off the petals

and placed them in a large pan with water and sugar ( I guessed the quantities)
Boiled for a few hours, cooled and then strained
I wonder if you can make Dandelion wine?

And after a full day of activities, Rosanna dressed up, I think it's inspired by the new cbeebies character Tree Fu Tom, which Reuben and Rosanna love. She's singing twinkle twinkle little star, like super heroes do!!!

Ten acre Easter egg hunt, dandelion salad & Easter crafts.

 I love driving through Penine Yorkshire, the scenery is so beautiful and the little old mill towns have a cosy old fashioned feel. It was particulary nice to drive to our friends ten acre small holding on Thursday where they were having an Easter egg hunt.

 On their small holding they keep sheep, horses and sometimes pigs.

 We arrived late, so the kids didn't get to find so many eggs, but they got plenty and had a great time exploring.

 A proper egg hunt with real baby lambs in the fields.

 Reuben and Rosie-anna enjoying the tyre swing.

 My 44 year old husband climbing a tree.

 We really didn't see much of Immy and Jemima they were off playing in Holly Hide. After a long play, we set off home in the hot sun.

Our first barbeque of the year.

 To accompany the barbeque, we made a Dandelion salad.  It consisted of flowers, flower heads and leaves. The flowers were delicious, but I didn't realise that you should remove the stalk when eating the leaf. YUK! They are so bitter and sour.

 We had an egg hunt in the garden. Last year we were in our old house, which had a small lawn and the Easter egg hunt was pretty easy. This year it was more tricky!

While the kids enjoyed their eggs, we made a fire and burnt the brambles.

 The children have been to a few Easter craft sessions at the library and the local RSPB reserve. Here the girls are dying eggs - we used vinegar and food colouring tablets.

 and then decorated them with stickers.

 Here are the other Easter crafts made by Imogen, Jemima, Reuben and Rosanna:

Lego Easter bunny with moveable legs, and a lego flower arrangement.

An Easter basket made by Rosanna at the library craft session. On the way out, I proudly said to the librarian, look what Rosanna has made. She took one look and said I'll give you another one to make at home!!!
Looking at the photo, I suppose it's an Easter basket only a mother could love, and I certainly do!

Happy Easter, have a wonderful weekend!