Does anyone remember doing this…
‘I love my love with an ‘A’ because he is attractive.
I hate my love with an ‘A’ because he is an arse.
His name is Artemis,
And he lives in Andalucia,
Where he keeps pet Antelopes,
Which he feeds on Aniseed Balls.
I love my love with a ‘B’ because he is brave…etc. etc.’
We used to spend hours going through the whole alphabet doing stuff like this.
‘We’ meaning me and my mates at school, and my brothers and sister.
I’ve been trying to think of activities to do with my kids on rainy days (which we’re apparently due for a few more of), so I was thinking about the stuff we used to do when we were little.
We did used to play alot of word games. Hangman, Boggle, scrabble, alphabet games etc.
It’s funny, because stuff like that when I was younger led to conversation and interaction, laughter and tears, and often fisticuffs, but it was all very physical and real.
It was a social act. It built relationships and created shared memories.
It expanded our vocabulary, stretched our imaginations and taught us about turn taking and inclusion.
So many of these things can be played online now, or on your phone, or on your game system.
My kids are a little too young for entertainment independence yet, but Miss E does love all the kids sites such as Nick Jr and Cbeebies.
We do play games together too though, and she’s a star at I-Spy now we’ve taught her to look away from the item she’s picked otherwise the games are very short.
While sometimes it’s annoying and time consuming, and I do think kids need to be able to entertain themselves to a certain degree, I hope my two will always see me and their dad as elements of fun in their lives, (as in fun to be with, not fun to laugh at), and not just the cash supply that enables them to seek entertainment alone.
I suppose this is proabably wishful thinking, but a mum can dream…
P.S. Keep the poem ideas coming here please you lovely people. It’s fun.
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June 26th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I have never heard of that “I love my love…” game… interesting. However, I grew up playing “The Minister’s Cat”—as in, choose a letter, and then go around the circle and say “The Minister’s cat is a(n) ____ cat” using a word that starts with that letter, until someone cannot think of one. And then another letter is picked and that person gets a point. The person with the most points (because they froze and could not think of a word), loses.
June 26th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Yes back in the old days we definately had to use our imagination more. I think those type of games are the best. We have been playing hide and seek over the last couple of days although my 3 year year old is always concerned I won’t find her so will shout ‘I’m here mummy!’ Bless.
I agree that you and Mr B will always be a good source of fun and micky taking in your childrens lives!
June 26th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
PS I’d like to see a poem called ‘I’m a gnome without a home’.
Thank you!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:05 am
Susan, I’d forgotton that one. We played it too. Isn’t it funny how kids across the globe played the same stuff.
I know they’re more likely to now as we have more TV, the internet etc, but back in the late 70s/early 80s we only had about 3 channels.
Fantastic.
The Minister’s Cat will definitely be coming on holiday with us this year.
Ingenius, I love that I’Jnr lets you know where she is in case you can’t find her
That’s just so cute.
Miss M is still at the ‘if I cover my eyes noone can see me’ stage which is funny in itself. She finds it hilarious if you jump when she uncovers her eyes. She must think she’s appeared from nowhere like a cheshire cat.
Also, I will endeavour to create a poem on gnome’s for you.
watch this space.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:24 am
I love your blog because
Always fun to read
Absolutely fabulous
An ostrich is on the top
and real
ok, ok I didn’t do it right. But it’s like 2am and I’m sleep deprived!
June 27th, 2007 at 9:50 am
I love your blog too Banana Lady so thanks for your lovely comment. I’m really flattered.
(Did you have Banana man on telly when you were younger? He was a superhero but a bit daft. I liked him but knew he was kind of odd for a grown up.)
June 27th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Ingenious, this is for you.
I found this quite hard but hopefully I’ve come up with a bit of whimsy for you.(I love that word.)
‘I’m a Gnome Without a Home’
Wanted,
A home for an all-weather gnome.
I don’t need alot, just a medium sized plot.
Pond-side would be nice if it’s at the right price.
And I’m happy to share (I don’t mind being a pair.)
Non smoker, own barrow,
And quite fond of marrow.
Clean hands and nice beard.
And no habits too weird.
And if you like cod,
I’ve a rather large rod…
JB 27th June 07
June 27th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Bravo Ms Beaufoix! An excellent effort, very funny. Clearly the task I set you was too easy. I will take some time to brew up another suggestion. Maybe you should try some Haiku? (Is that the right word?)
IR