Cheap gifts for small boys

What costs 50p and gives hours of fun and entertainment?

A kazoo!

Home sweet home

Going away is great, especially when there's a beach and help with the boy. But there's nothing quite like being at home.

The boy celebrated by getting the paints out at 4pm and using all the brushes we own - mainly to paint his own hands so that he could squidge!

The sea, the sea

It's nearly November but look at the beach this morning!

Give a boy a spade and hours of fun ensue - but not building sandcastles or anything that boring, it's all about seeing how much of the beach you can move into the big puddle.

A walk to the 'big sea' is always good too.

But mostly flinging sand and hearing it go spladoosh is the best thing!

The joys of a Togz suit is even when sitting in the big puddle you don't get soaked - a little damp but not enough to be uncomfortable.

The best laid plans

For a boy who climbs anything and everything a ladder is too good an opportunity to miss.

The plan for today was to walk to the small park near Danna's house so that Isaac could play with the gate (much more fun than swings and slides don't you know!). But with a naked toddler running round the house that wasn't going to happen. The dog was ready. I was ready. The boy was resolute that he wasn't getting dressed for love nor money. So exit via the back door into the garden and a compromise of a nappy and a top and everyone played outside instead. It wasn't cold today but it wasn't really warm enough for bare legs and feet but the boy didn't seem to care.

There was wood to be piled.

And plants to be watered (never mind that it's actually been raining on and off for the last few days).

It was actually lovely and I'm glad we didn't go to the park then (I took the bear later when Danna took Isaac back to the orchard).

Helping Danna and going to the orchard

One of the boy's jobs when staying here is to help feed the birds every morning...

When he was in the garage helping with the bird food he spotted his table and chairs that were outside in the summer and so brought them into the house. They've since been picked up and moved all over the place (and usually dumped in odd and awkward places like doorways).

After a little shopping this morning we went to the yurt for lunch.

It doesn't look like much from the outside...

But inside it's lovely.

The food's great and the sugar tongs made for a good toddler distraction (although I didn't much like having my hair pulled with them!).

The yurt is on an apple farm and we had a good look round the shop and the small stalls they have selling vintage bits and bobs. It's a lovely place to go and spend a few hours.

The boy tried to make his escape at one point but didn't get far...

Pensthorpe

Yesterday we went to Pensthorpe. The last time we went there the boy was more than happy to have the ducks and geese around his feet while they were being fed but this time he wanted to be 'up' where it was safe. We had a great time though and spent ages watching the ducks and geese as well as seeing the insect habitats complete with sculptures.