Thursday, November 19, 2015

Making a Car for Dolly!

It's funny, when you watch Elise playing, she often imitates our daily lives and rituals. She becomes Mummy and her Dolly becomes her little girl.

In turn, this means I become 'Daddy' and her actual Daddy becomes 'Grandpa'! It's a bit hard on Daddy!

Anyway, Elise and her actual Daddy decided to make a car for Dolly today so that Dolly can drive around the house. Amazing what you can do with a shoebox, some glue and some crayons:



Elise also decided to make sure the base of the car had some labels on it, which was sweet :)



Daddy and Elise x

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

How to Make a Pom Pom With a Toddler!

I always loved making pom poms when I was a little girl. I found it strangely relaxing.

Today, I found it is still very therapeutic having made one with Elise for her to attach to her school bag. :)

Here's all you need:


  • Some wool - we chose some multi-coloured wool
  • Some thin card - we raided a cereal box
  • A pen
  • A circular object like a cup
  • Scissors



1. Draw around your cup and make 2 identical circles. Draw a smaller circle inside and cut the shapes (and the hole) out. Tip: don't make the central hole too big. Then put the two circles back to back.

Step 1


2. Cut a long piece of wool (about 2 metres is good if you're working with a toddler) and start to wind it around your card circles. Make sure you keep the wool taut.

Step 2


3. Elise enjoyed pulling the wool out of the hole and walking to the other side of her room with it!

Step 3


4. If your wool runs out, don't fret. Just cut another long length of wool and hold the two ends down with your thumb, wrapping the new wool over the end of the last piece of wool to secure it.

Step 4


5. Wind the wool around the donut shape until the centre hole is completely filled. Make sure it is as tight as possible and no more wool can fit through the gap.

Step 5 - this pom pom is about half way there!


6. Next is the most enjoyable bit! Snip all around the outside of your circle.

Step 6 - once you can't get any more wool through the centre hole, you're ready to snip!

Step 6 - snip all the way round!


7. Get another length of wool and tie a tight knot between your two pieces of card. Make a few knots to ensure it is secure.

Step 7


8. Then rip off your card and attach your pom pom to something... like your door knob, or your school bag... or make two and play Pom Pom Conkers!

Step 8


Love and hugs
Rebecca and Elise x

Deepavali 2015 at White Lodge Preschool

I love that Elise's playschool takes advantage of every festival going. They've been making lanterns and learning about the tales of Rama for the last few weeks.



Here's Elise sitting on the wall outside school wearing a lovely silk Indian dress, complete with green and gold bangles and even a bindi. And slightly wonky bunches. Well, you can't have everything.



She also took to the treehouse after school:



And loved her outfit so much, she even went to the supermarket with me after school in it!


Happy Deepavali everyone!
Rebecca and Elise x