Hat Parade Season



It's Easter and that means one thing...hat parade season! Miss B and I have combed Pinterest for inspiration, been to the craft shop to stock up and spent some of our weekend cutting and gluing. Master B also put in his two cents worth as he is of course too old for hat parades now but he likes to supervise the all important hat making.

This year Miss B has gone for the 'Less is Best' approach and she is very pleased with the results.

This is last years effort which still had pride of place on top of her shelves in her bedroom....

and this is my all time favourite picture of Miss B at her first ever Easter Hat Parade at preschool.





I am feeling a little nostalgic because after about 6 years, this will be the last year I have a child taking part in a hat parade. Although I have been known to curse these parades I will be a little sad at about 2.30 this Thursday afternoon as it is just another little reminder that my babies are growing up fast.

Are you busily fighting with the hot glue gun and cotton wool balls in preparation for a hat parade this week? What makes you realise time is passing?

I am linking up with One Mother Hen's Open Slather Monday

Happy Easter xx





iMinutes

One of the modern dilemmas of parenting is screen time. I often have conversations with other parents about how much is too much time on the computer or the ipad and it is a big issue in my house.

Don't misunderstand me. I have nothing against technology and in fact use it myself ALL the time, but as parents we have resisted increasing the access to screen time for the younger family members. On the other hand we don't feel that banning it altogether is the answer as our children will have to be able to use this technology. We need to find a balance!



image from http://appreviewfree.tumblr.com/page/7
 

In the last twelve months the pressure to own an 'isomthing' has been increasing and after many discussions about the pros (WE would be able to use it) and cons (we would have to share it with our game devouring children), Ernie the ipad was welcomed into the fold.

We now have the unenviable parenting task of trying to find the balance between using technology for entertainment and making our own entertainment! Some of our little family are becoming consumed by certain games and functions at the expense of common manners and kind words...Hmmm!

An idea is being floated at the moment to have a system of i-minutes being earned for certain chores which can then be used to play on Ernie. Make you bed and earn 5 minutes screen time. This has potential but I guess time will tell. Failure to use manners and respond to polite parent directives will mean Ernie goes on holiday!    *sigh*    What happened to cricket in the street and cubby houses with the neighbourhood children? We will find the balance....I hope

Do you have these issues at your house? Have you come up with a solution? Please share if you have found a balance that works for you.

I am linking up with One Mother Hen's Open Slather Monday

Have a great week

Kate x