Would you be so kind as to help me out this week and give me some feedback about NurtureStore and the Play Planner? Below are 10 {super} quick questions. Could you please fill them in and let me know who you are and what you like about the Play Planner. All feedback is very welcome and I hope to use it to make NurtureStore an even better resource for you. Thank you! Cathy
Monday’s child is… [Read more…] |
For an afterschool tea, expecially when you have several children to feed, I find you can’t go wrong with this recipe for ciabatta pizza. For large families or childminders providing afterschool care it can be difficult to find something everyone will eat. With this recipe you can easily vary the toppings on each ciabatta base so everyone is happy – and even let the kids make their own pizza, choosing the toppings they like best.
Start by switching your grill on and slicing your ciabatta loaf in half lengthways to make your base. Pop the ciabatta under the grill to lightly toast, so you don’t end up with a soggy pizza. Then you just need to add 3 layers on top:
Layer one is some kind of sauce: tomato puree, chopped tomatoes (from a tin is fine) or pesto
Layer two is some flavour: sliced ham or bacon, peppers, onions, olives, sweetcorn, oregano, whatever you have in the fridge
Layer three is some cheese: mozarella or cheddar works well
Pop under the grill until the cheese melts and is everything is nicely toasted.
Then let the kids tuck in and enjoy.
This week the Highlight of my Week is…. Playing by the Book
Playing by the Book is run by Zoe, ably assisted by her two daughters. The blog is dedicated to books (did you guess?) and how they are such a wonderful springboard for all sorts of crafts, activities and musical fun. Whether your children love dens, dinosaurs or dressing up Playing by the Book has ideas to fit the bill.
Even more exciting Zoe has just launched an International Postcard Swap for Families where children all over the globe can get writing and receiving cards to find out about other countries. We’re excited to be taking part and if you’d like to join in then pop over to Playing by the Book before Friday April 30th 2010 to sign up.
To inaugurate the NurtureStore Highlight of My Week, I’d like to tell you about the Frugal Family Fun Blog: a blog which focuses on things you can do with your children for very little cost but with lots of fun. The blog is run by Valerie and records the crafts and activities she does with her two lovely daughters, along with other money saving ideas. Her 12 Ways to Boost Happiness (for Free) gives a great round up of ideas you could try. And her idea for Story Stones is one my girls love – in fact we’ve been working on our own version of it this weekend.
So I hope you’ll pop over to see the Frugal Family Fun Blog and find some great ideas to inspire you too. Tell Valerie I sent you!
Small world play is a wonderful way for children to be masters of a mini universe, using their imaginations and creativity as they play. It can help them try out real world situations or head off into a adventure in a made up land. Here are some of our favourite small world play ideas.
