09 October 2012

& the school holidays continue . . .

Greetings all,
I'm all about free fun for children during school holidays.  I guess it stems back to when we first had children we didn't have cash to throw around, so we made the most of free activities or hanging at home.  Personally i use school holidays to clean out the children's rooms & they need them to relax from going hard at school all term.  Staying home is not a chore, it's a pleasure.
So here is a typical free fun day at our place . . . 
starting with a dose of home juiced goodness.  I did wash these celery sticks again!!
 Nothing wrong with window shopping & not spending, my children are largely unspoilt with stuff, this Santa falls under the category of unnecessary stuff, no dropped lips or tantrums, she completely understands the word 'no'.
 This is our 3rd school holidays now with chickens, they are the pet that doesn't get old.  Chickens have so much personality.  Pets are the ultimate school holiday activity, to feed, play & nurture.  Dare i suggest our chickens have a fabulous diet.
 I have always found that my children naturally pair up, or enjoy a good dose of solitude in their own rooms during the break.  I have strived to make their rooms inviting & cosy, so they want to be in them.  Actually my twins have talked about moving back in together. 
School holidays are the perfect time to exploit child labour - gardening, cleaning, tidying, baking & cooking.  My guys make a mean chicken schnitzel.  As a housewife, these jobs are normally mine during the day, so i trade with them . . . i unpacked the dishwasher!!
 Then there are the not-a-school-night treats like sleeping out in the lounge or siblings bedrooms.  This is still a huge hit with my son, he's 8 & will bring half his bedroom with him too.  He got a bit cold one night so slept with ear muffs on.  I cannot get enough of this little fella.
So we've stayed home these holidays, one trip to the cinema - with $6.50 tickets - it was hard to resist while i was recovering from a migraine, in the dark with quiet children.  This is how we roll almost every school holidays.  We're not massive must-go-away people, it's too expensive for a family of 6 on a single income, we remain realistic & homey.  Love Posie

12 comments:

ally said...

Oh we love staying home too...its calming and quietly joyful.
Happy holidays at your house
x

Mum on the Run said...

Sounds pretty fabulous to me.
:-) xx

Fiona said...

Hey Jennie, you continue to amaze me with your fantastic approach to Motherhood.. you kids will grow up without any emotional or social issues with this kind of childhood.. What an amazing mother you truly are.. Take care and I hope you enjoy the rest of the school holidays, Fiona.

Kirrily said...

Love it. Hanging out at home is loved by all at our place - and my two girls certainly need the down time during the holidays.

My girls have spent a good part of today playing around with the special effects on the microphone that's plugged into their dad's keyboard. We have heard all manner of songs, announcements and plays being acted out at in strange voices and at a decent volume. I think our next activity before dinner might be watching some home movies of the girls when they were babies.

It's sure going to be quiet when they are at school and kinder tomorrow.

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A little bit country said...

Great post Posie. We have had a stay at home holiday too. I have loved it as have the kids. My little guy (3.5) has actually been asking to stay home! Amazing! Has been alot kinder on the purse too xo

Fiona said...

We're also a family of six, so I fully understand how easily the budget can be blown on a simple trip to the movies! Our holidays were spent completely rearranging the house, planting the veggie garden, hanging out with friends and checking out new playgrounds. The kids seem recharged and rested, ready to face the new term.

Tania said...

Such a lovely post :)

I like staying home the most too. Just love pottering around at my own pace doing lots of things I enjoy and a few of the mundane things as well! Just lately I have been taking extra notice of the lots of different bird calls there are first thing in the morning...so pretty.

xx

Mother Down Under said...

Growing up, I loved holidays when we just stayed home...lazy days full of helping Mom bake and making up games with my sister and reading.

And I am loving all the iPhone photos! Great shots!

Polly said...

It sounds like you are making some wonderful family memories

Duyvken said...

Always at home holidays here too. We are lucky to have in-laws who live a few hours north of Sydney so they driving up to spend a few nights away a couple of times a year qualifies as a holiday. Love this post, thanks for sharing!

SilverGulls said...

... and what a lovely home environment you've created too! Deb xx