It’s Election Day for the Mayor of London and my daughters’ school is closed as it is being used as a polling station. I’d just like to take a moment to say how ridiculous it is to close a whole school – for a whole day – when to be frank a marquee in the car park would have worked perfectly well for ‘hoardes’ of people coming to vote during school hours.
I was therefore rather determined to have a productive and educational day with my girls who opted to stay at home rather than be out and about in London soaking up then Election Day atmosphere.
So first off some ‘outdoor play’ with a spot of gardening. Our heritage Seed Pantry tomato seeds are doing very well and as Amy is a huge fan of carrots, we rummaged our tin in search of seeds. She chose this beginners pack and pretty much followed the instructions all by herself.
Forgotten Carrot Seeds
Planting carrot seedlings
Once that was done, we did some ‘spellings’ and ‘maths’ with our fruit and vegetable inventory before heading to the market. On the way we covered off ‘modern languages’ as I taught them the French and German words for what we needed to buy and Amber taught us the Spanish ones she knew.
Back home again, we ticked off ‘reading time’ as we took to the recipe books and our stack of Delicious magazines to choose what we’d be having for dinner over the next few days. A little ‘handwriting’ practice as we drew up the menus.
Menu planning in our neatest handwriting
They went off to do some ‘creative play’ while I made lunch from some mushy carrots we’d found while doing our inventory earlier – Carrot and Coriander Tarts. A nice alternative to quiche and perfect with some steamed purple sprouting broccoli or asparagus.
Carrot and Coriander Tart
Because we’d had such a productive morning, we decided to dedicate some time to Polly Pockets. There may have been a little family snooze in there somewhere too – perhaps not quite part of the educational curriculum but certainly what impromptu days off are for!
Polly Pockets!
And of course some ‘home economics with these Carrot Cupcakes at teatime.
Simple Carrot Cupcake
So that was our extra-curricular day off. I loved it! Wish there was another election next week!
Sounds like a lovely day.
thank you – it really was nice x
Despite the school being closed it sounds like you had loads of fun! Hope your carrots turn out well, I grew some last year and they did brilliantly! Those little tarts look great too.
Thank you. We’ve grown some from plant but not seed so it’s all exciting!
I always used to love those impromtu days off, an excuse to spend time together, learning and laughing at the same time. Good luck with the carrots x
Thanks Tracey. She’s forgotten about them already so it’ll be me watering these little seedlings no doubt!
Sounds like a lovely educational yet fun day! I love the carrot cupcakes 🙂
Thanks. Am not a fan of the cinnamon and spices in traditional carrot cake recipes so this is a good compromise
What a great way to spend the day! Your carrot and coriander tarts are now at the top of my list of recipes to try at home.
Thank you x
Sounds like a wonderful day! Your carrot cupcakes are the perfect too!
Thank you. Been loving your Japanese stuff
This is a great post! My little boy is in Reception and his theme this week is food. We were asked to do some baking or reading of cookery books – but I think I will follow your plan for the day and knock their socks off!! Carrot Cupcakes it is then :-)))
Brilliant. My daughter’s school are RUBBISH at taking an interest in food. I took some tomato ice cream in when they were doing sensory week. Mixed views from the teachers and children. They all thought it was silly. I thought it was a brilliant sensory experience because ice cream is not meant to taste like tomatoes is it? So we had a whole load of fun with different silly flavours and textures at the weekend anyway! I feel very passionately about engaging little ones in food. One of these days I will have to write that business plan to change things.
What a fantastic day you had! I expect she learnt just as much if not more in new topics with you.
I hope so x