I spent a long time this morning researching colour mixing activities that didn’t involve paint mixing. But after all my google searches, here is where we ended up.

But for all my resistance to the inevitable mess-making, the sheer delight on their faces as they stirred and watched the magic happen made the fact that the boys then painted their noses red and did nose prints on the paper worthwhile. I think.

And when Theo then considered perhaps he could get involved in pulling Santa’s sleigh next Christmas, he point blank refused to have his nose cleaned for quite some time.

But it was still worth the joy. Honestly.

Maddie worked hard today learning about frogs. We borrowed Toby’s book to learn some facts and then painted a picture with the leftover paint. She comes up with some classic faces for the pictures to send to her teacher. I *think* she was trying to enact the frog’s bulging eyes that we’d been talking about.

We finished off our frog lessons with baking, obviously. We found frog muffins in the Gruffalo recipe book, which were good fun to make, and a few of us thought they were delicious. The ones who don’t trust green food weren’t convinced, even though I told them spinach was superhero food. Micah would have happily picked all the eyes and tongues off and munched his way through those though, if I’d let him.

Toby practiced his graffiti art with a logo for the Olympic Games today. I wonder how long it’ll be before he starts on his bedroom walls.

And yes, the haircut is still under discussion.

Today involved sitting down with the children and explaining the detailed plans for school and working out what their fears are, how it might look, and what the pros and cons are. In a lot of ways it’s helpful that the older children are able to communicate their perspectives. For one morning a week, it seems like nothing, but I can understand the big feelings that go with the unknown. Because that’s the bit I struggle with too.

A few months ago I was wondering how this September would feel with Micah starting nursery. After 14 years of little people at home, it feels like a big change. But now it’s the not knowing what September might even look like that is hard to get my planning head around.

But once again I was reminded today that I don’t need to be anxious about September. Or January. Or tomorrow. In February, I had no idea that Covid-19 would take over our lives and our world. And honestly, I’m glad I didn’t. Worrying about it wouldn’t have changed what we’ve faced, and would no doubt have taken the joy out of the good days we did have, celebrating Micah’s birthday and Liam’s 40th.

I don’t know what the next weeks and months will look like, how we will all continue to adjust, but I’ll keep looking up, trusting and waiting, and we’ll keep plodding on. And baking. Always baking.

1 ‘The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock…

13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! – Psalm 27:1-5, 13-14