Entertaining the Troops

A box of chalks, eighty sticks of colourful goodness for one-pound.
Excellent value for money.

Little People and the neighbours children spend a huge amount of time outside chalking pictures on the wall, and making hopscotch/noughts and crosses games on the pavement.
Day after day the rain washes it all away and they start again.
This IS a most excellent way to Entertain the Troops.

I went browsing at our local Antiques and Collectors Centre at the weekend.
I like to have a good rummage, it's that sort of place.
Little stools, wicker baskets, chipped enamelware, glass bottles, faded eiderdowns, an old meat safe, a tin globe (as in globe of the world). These are the things that almost-but-not-quite came home with me.
Instead I ended up spending the grand sum of three-pound-fifty-pence for this old Snakes and Ladders board. I had an idea that it would be a good game to keep the Little People entertained.
So far so good.


The board doesn't come with dice and counters, but no matter, we improvise beautifully. Little Man does a sterling job creating a dice out of some yellow card and selotape. I'm very proud of his construction abilities.
Counters are sought and found :: a Barbie shoe and a hideously grim plastic model.
Still doing great.
The game begins.
I have to assist fully. Little Lady does not comprehend the meaning of Ladders = up and snakes head = down. She needs a lot of help.
Every time a snakes head is reached there is hideous crying from the one going down.
Every time a ladder is climbed there is much yelling/howling/tantrumming from the one left behind.
It is not going well.
I remind them it's a game and supposed to be fun, that going up and down is all part of the fun.
The crying/yelling/howling/tantrumming continues.
I snap the board shut and declare the game over.
Even more yelling and crying.
This is NOT a good  way to Entertain the Troops.

Painting by numbers, one-pound forty-nine-pence each, two bought.
Huge initial thrill that I am allowing them to paint in a grown-up manner, but novelty soon wears off.
There's quite a lot of mess to clear up.
My table runner gets painted.
The pictures remain unfinished.
This is NOT a good way to Entertain the Troops.

Baking buns and allowing Little People (and neighbours children, always in our house) to decorate.
Allow "stealing" of chocolate buttons.
Much laughter and more "stealing".
Chocolate sprinkles go everywhere, but we are still laughing.
Buns eventually get one button each, and a few measly sprinkles.
They're quickly scoffed before icing has chance to go hard, only two remain in the tin.
This IS a great way to Entertain the Troops, especially as Mummy also gets to eat the proceeds.

Today it's pouring with rain. Again. But today we have an Entertainment Plan. We're driving across the hills to go here today, look there's over 70,000 sq ft of fun to be had!
I for one am looking forward to being out of the house, to sitting with good friends drinking cappuccino while the Little People run and climb and slide and crawl and swing to their hearts content.
I'm looking forward to paying a (relatively) large amount of money and letting the Troops crack on and Entertain Themselves.

 

Comments

[Louise]

10 out of 10 for effort on your part! x

[jane]

I too am starting to go a little insane thinking up new and creative ideas to entertain two little people during our lovely,rainy summer break. We too have days involving large chunks of crying, howling and tantrums however hard I try!! I've now resorted to daytrips in pac-a-macs and wellies for my sanity as well as theirs. Great picture of the chalk by the way, love it!

[Julia]

Board games always run in a similar fashion in our house. Yesterday my son (8) tried to teach my daughter (4) how to play chess purely so he could outwit her and steal all her pieces - cue hysterical screaming - aaah the joy!
Enjoy the coffee!
Julia xx

[Rosie Graham]

You are doing a sterling job! All I can say is I am so glad my kids are grown up. Your ripple blanket is wonderful! Can't wait to see the hexagon one when it is finished.
Rosie

[Anna]

Your neighbours have got the right idea, haven't they?!x

[French Knots]

I think my two like to argue, they certainly do enough of it! Baking is always good and if it ever stops raining we like painting the flags with big decorating brushes and water!

[Gill]

Brings back memories of entertaining my two (who are now 16 and 19), I was a very dedicated entertainer with my first-born Son and we got up to all sorts just like you, I have to confess I wasn't quite as good with my daughter! But I'll have my chance again one day I'm sure with Grandchildren!
Have a fun week.
Gill

[Fi]

OO! Glad it's you enjoying 70,000sq ft of fun and not me. I remember those places from when my two were little, THE NOISE!!!I hate those places! Buns and chalk, much more fun!

[kim]

Hope you had fun! I know my girls have always loved chalk and cake best, nothing too competitive!
Kimx

[julie]

I just found your blog by accident...somehow was directed here by Jane at Posy.....and I love it!!!! You have a great sense of humor. Although my children are not little anymore [12 and 17] I still spend tons of time with them. Your blog reminds me of my own days with littler ones. I will be back.......a lot.

[julie]

I just found your blog by accident...somehow was directed here by Jane at Posy.....and I love it!!!! You have a great sense of humor. Although my children are not little anymore [12 and 17] I still spend tons of time with them. Your blog reminds me of my own days with littler ones. I will be back.......a lot.

[sally]

I love the vintage Snakes and Ladders - good find! And that chalk photo is just yummy. Hope you had a good day out :)
Sally xx

[sarah]

I totally understand where your coming from it can be hard work keeping my two entertained Emily loves a jigsaw while Elliott loves to destroy it or Emily will decorate cakes beautifully whilst Elliott get's in a sticky mess AARRGH!!! Enjoy your day off from it all!
Sarahx

[Lisa]

Your house sounds like ours as the neighbour's children tend to congregate at ours too. Enjoy your day out at the activity centre, like the sound of the homemade cakes!

[simone]

Chalks and Cakes good. Paints and Snakes and Ladders bad. I wish I was visiting a place with 70,000 square feet of fun. I'll have to make do with 15 square foot of the dining room today!