50 things to do... Summer challenge!

The National trust posted an article on 50 things to do by the time you are 11 and 3/4 for fun i thought i'd re-post and see how well or not well we are doing and it can also be our new family challenge for the summer!

1. Climb a tree
2. Roll down a really big hill
3. Camp out in the wild
4. Build a den
5. Skim a stone
6. Run around in the rain
7. Fly a kite
8. Catch a fish with a net
9. Eat an apple straight from a tree
10. Play conkers
11. Throw some snow
12. Hunt for treasure on the beach
13. Make a mud pie
14. Dam a stream
15. Go sledging
16. Bury someone in the sand
17. Set up a snail race
18. Balance on a fallen tree
19. Swing on a rope swing
20. Make a mud slide
21. Eat blackberries growing in the wild
22. Take a look inside a tree
23. Visit an island
24. Feel like you’re flying in the wind
25. Make a grass trumpet
26. Hunt for fossils and bones
27. Watch the sun wake up
28. Climb a huge hill
29. Get behind a waterfall
30. Feed a bird from your hand
31. Hunt for bugs
32. Find some frogspawn
33. Catch a butterfly in a net
34. Track wild animals
35. Discover what’s in a pond
36. Call an owl
37. Check out the crazy creatures in a rock pool
38. Bring up a butterfly
39. Catch a crab
40. Go on a nature walk at night
41. Plant it, grow it, eat it
42. Go wild swimming
43. Go rafting
44. Light a fire without matches
45. Find your way with a map and compass
46. Try bouldering (rock climbing outdoors but with safety mats and short drops)
47. Cook on a campfire
48. Try abseiling
49. Find a geocache (use GPS and other navigational aides to locate hidden containers.)
50. Canoe down a river

Well i'm hoping as we're staying in the UK that throwing snow, will just not be a possibility! also as mine are still quite young, some just aren't practical yet or seasonal but lets give it a try and see how we do!

Well, Week 1 of the summer hols is over! we've survived.  I thought I'd blog about what we've been upto and share some photos.  This week we've had amazing weather so....

Monday - Beach day with friends at Hamworthy Park

Tuesday - Walk and play at Bourne Valley, playing at home, making cakes and the paddling pool.

Wednesday -  Vets, boys cashed in on their pennies and was allowed to spend their money. N bought a big Chelsea bun and B a crab fishing net. Then met with friends at Sandbanks Beach

Thursday - Crab Fishing then home to paddling pool

Friday - Walk and play at Bourne Vally, meeting with friends at the pirate themed park (Canford Cliffs)

I guess we've been out lots but after what feels like months and months of rain and grey, enjoying the sunshine and the heat was an opportunity not to be missed.

Its been quite a hard week for B as he finds it very difficult to adjust from school life to home life and being on summer holidays, due to his ASD.  We have used sequence cards before we have left home to explain what we are doing and when we'll be coming home.  This helps him close the loop on his communication.  I have found it stressful as he expects me to structure every minute of the day (similar to school) and when i can't or am attending to another child's needs, inevitably the meltdowns start.  There are issues everyday, normally I'll plan the big things but forget the little things and that's when problems arise. He is adjusting to life at home but its hard work so we've been using the timeout spot and reward charts for our 3 older children.  I prefer the use of positive rewards to encourage good behaviour.  Also it is a good parenting aid, making sure I'm being mindful to catch them doing good and to praise them for it...

Toffee taking N for a walk

Building with marshmellows and dried spaghetti (quite tricky)

My handsome bunch!