May 2015 - Plutonium Sox

Natalie Ray May 30, 2015 Toddler

The impact of screen time on behaviour

This week, I wrote in my Thursday photo post that I had noticed a real link between Libby spending a small amount of time in front of a computer and a deterioration in her behaviour. I want to put a couple of things in context. Firstly, I’m not judging or criticising anyone for letting their children watch television or use iPads or other technology. After all, I’m only writing this because I totally understand the need to use a screen to entertain children sometimes, because I did just that this week. The second thing I want to make clear is that Libby…

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Natalie Ray May 29, 2015 Food and Drink

Rescuing a rainy day

Today, we had grand plans for a walk in the sunshine and a picnic. Guess who didn’t look at the weather forecast? So, our plans for the day went down the pan. But not as much Jamer’s – but more of that later. The problem was, we really needed to get out of the house. Mainly due to the fact that our bathroom currently looks like this. So, we headed off to the Guild Brewer’s Fayre in Bromsgrove where they have soft play and activity mornings during half term. Much as both girls love being outside, Libby would probably spend…

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Natalie Ray May 28, 2015 Our Thursday Photos

Our Thursday Photo #55

This week can only be described as trying. When I thought I couldn’t possibly taken on any more work or responsibilities, a few more things were thrown at me. It’s a good job I learnt to juggle as a child, it is a life skill that’s serving me well. Libby has been somewhat truculent. She didn’t seem very well earlier in the week, although with hindsight I think she was probably just tired from a busy weekend. Because she didn’t seem quite herself, I let her have some time just relaxing on the sofa and watching nursery rhymes on the…

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Natalie Ray May 26, 2015 Lifestyle

To the decision makers of 2015 from the children of 2045

The date is 26 May 2045 and I am 15 years old. I was born in 2030, 15 years from the time you are in now. The end of my time in school is in sight and soon I will have to think about where to go to university and what job I want to do. My choices are very different to yours. This morning at school, we had double science. I think that physics lessons were different when you were in school. People of your time knew that Einstein’s theory of relativity opened up the possibility of time travel. …

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Natalie Ray May 24, 2015 Toddler

A finger puppet show

This weekend has been all about being outdoors. After all the excitement yesterday, the girls had an afternoon nap and then we decided to do something a little bit calmer. We were lucky enough to be sent some gorgeous crafting materials by Sykes Cottages and invited to make some finger puppets. They have the instructions on how to make them on their blog, and they’ve been kind enough to share them with us as well, so here they are: Now as you’ll notice, the penguins are incredibly easy to make with quite basic materials. Libby and I were assisted by some…

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Natalie Ray May 23, 2015 Lifestyle

50 Things to Do Before You’re 11 3/4

For the last couple of years, hubby and I have been National Trust members. We love the fact that there are so many different places to visit for the cost of a membership fee. The other advantage is that many National Trust places accept dogs, at least in the grounds. One such place locally is the beautiful Brockhampton Estate. And it’s a sign of Libby growing up that today when we went to take back the map from our walk, she was offered a scrapbook to record her 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4. I’ve been vaguely aware…

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Natalie Ray May 22, 2015 Being a work from home mum

The clothes make the man

This afternoon, my husband was very commendably having a clear out. This is a necessary evil as we will be putting our house on the market in a few weeks. As he was putting some clothes aside to go to the charity shop, hubby dug out a jumper of mine. It’s a grey jumper that came from a charity shop a few years ago. Admittedly, it’s nothing special. In fact, it’s safe to say that it’s seen better days. Hubby insisted that the jumper had to go. In fact, he went as far as buying me another couple of jumpers…

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