It really is better than salt dough!

I've had my eye on this recipe for 'white' salt dough for a long time, and finally tried it out with Feets the other day for some early Christmas presents. And the Typical Mom is pretty much right!

It's not perfect - it cracks a bit as it dries, but so does salt dough, and it has some strange brown splotches that I think are from me burning it, so we might manage even better next time, but we are pretty happy.

And they are pretty effective as gifts from a three year old! We pressed lace (bumpy lace worked well) and dried leaves into it, and cut out with cookie cutters ... all happy! Now to explore some more creative uses ...

Homes from Sticks

Utterly inspired by two days at a Forest School this summer, Feets begged for more.  So when we went camping in Dorset, I took a headful of ideas that would keep up the Forest School vibe.  We spent a glorious morning collecting sticks before seeing what kinds of houses we could make for our sylvanian families.  Feets was most determined to use thread, which kept her very busy, while I carefully stacked sticks up the side.  We were both very content!

Checking out the Postal Museum

Thanks to the Early Years Network, I was able to explore the all shiny-new Postal Museum.  Actually, it's pretty exciting turning up, just seeing teams of postal vans at platforms at the depot across the way - it sets my geeky cogs going ... how does it really all work?  How on earth does my letter, posted in a panic one evening, so often land on the doorstep the next morning?  Especially since these days, I've noticed, so much London delivery is done on foot.

From a learning perspective, the new galleries are, of course, a dream.  They feel similar in aesthetic and layout to the new design gallery at London Transport Museum (LTM)- is this reflective of an evolving style in gallery design?  Or were the same designers involved?  Either way, they are rich with interactives, costumes to try on, buttons to press, lights to light up and a chance to design your own 'selfie stamp'.

Similarly, the beautiful, spanking new 'Sorted', role-play area for children has probably taken inspiration from All Aboard at LTM.  With a beautiful London backdrop, a mini post office and a mini sorting office complete with slide, there will be some very happy, tiny posties soon enough.

Volcano of Seeds and Pulses

Feets has been asking a lot about volcanoes recently.  So naturally, when she said she'd like to make a seed picture and I asked what our pictures should include, she said volcanoes.

So here they are, hers and mine.

We got quite a long way before starting to mix ...!