Japanese food!

Our Japan project is still holding everyones interest. I think having it last for a longer time is working for us. We always end up doing all sorts through the week that we hadn't necessarily planned and the ideas ebb and flow. But this project is being held together even more by the childrens love of and for making Japanese food.

noodles- Yum!

Snip snip

Play food has been made and served at the "Super Sushi" resturant. We have also made and sampled Tempura, Udon Noodles and last night made a feast of sushi with everyone trying their hand at rolling Maki and making Nigiri.

Ah yes the way to engage my children, through their stomachs. Can't think how we could apply this to the ancient egyptians yet!!!

valentines craft

Valentines Day is not a huge point of celebration in our home (much talk of commercialisation!!!) and the children had no interest in delving further into the meaning this year! But a craft idea had caught my eye on another blog and so Mia and I decided to have a try. You melt down old, stubby broken crayons in molds to make funky mixed up new ones! We ran out of heart shaped molds and had to diversify (also not sure the wax will ever fully come out, doh) but we were really pleased with the effects.

They do look super cute and bright and Mia thought they would make a brilliant gift to make for a younger friend.

This Moment

                           This moment inspired by www.soulemama.com. A picture from the week.

Phillips' take on Japan.

Well, in topic form at least!

Planning our Japanese food week

The start of our display

Long in the planning and inspired mostly by the boys love of "The young Samurai" by Chris Bradford. We had a little trouble convincing pink princess that there would be lots of interesting things to do and find out and it wouldn't just be about swords and blood shed! Much talk of Kokeshi dolls and making play sushi from felt and she's convinced!

Aging maps

Flag Bunting

Trying the characters for "Japan"

Getting down to work!

With lots more planned for the rest of the month we made a good start and have decided we would have a display wall to show off all our work (not sure how the planned kimonos will fit!). Already lots of play is happening around their ideas too with a very lovely sushi restaurant opened just this morning, I recommend the Miso!

At least the days are getting longer!

Proof if needed that the days are getting longer, six eggs in one day (from 7 hens).

Despite the continuing wind, drizzle and general greyness and the horrible lurgy going around our house the days ARE getting longer and spring must be around the corner. Something to look forward to indeed!

This Moment

As inspired by soulemama.com.

Charity shop find.

Oh! the joy of charity shops and the things you find in them.
Like this Philips Modern school atlas, 1989 edition,  actually not that modern after all. Don't let the "new edition" tab fool you. Purchased originally for me to pull apart, for an arty travel inspired make, but poured over by the kids. And then inspired wonderful discussion about new country borders and wars!

Didn't we have these when I was at school?

The history to be had from an old geography book! £1.10 well spent.