Glorious Nonsense

  How To Play the Pokémon Trading Card Game Your kids have watched the shows and movies, collected toys, plush and figures, and may even have a stash of these cards in drawers and across tables around the house. There comes an eventual time where kids want to give the game a shot, and it is absolutely doable! But first, you've got to teach them. And before that, and I can't impress upon you enough the weight of this... You've got to learn. Sorry. It's the way around it works. Unless you're like us, and your child learned through another channel, like my son learned through amazing staff at a local table top gaming store. And then what happened? He wanted me to play at home too. Which I was up for because frankly it looks a lot of fun and nerds are gunna nerd. Now, I'm here to bestow upon thee, a guide of sorts, a simple step by step of where to look and how to manage it.  Get a Starter Deck: Begin by acquiring a Pokémon TCG starter deck. These are pre-constructe...

 Doodling Benefits for Neurodivergents (and how I let my brain and pens loose on my living room blinds) Recently I've been working on filling my home with lots of dopamine inducing essence. Bright colours, collections on show, space for our hobbies like Dungeons and Dragons, reading and gaming.  After decorating, I realised my blinds in the living room were all wrong but they were fitted to our odd dimensions and my budget was nil.  So, I smooshed paint I had left over from Leo's room, a pale yellow, got a couple of acrylic black pens and said yes to an outlandish silly idea. I doodled the blinds into a big scratchy happy fantasy map. Doodles are so brilliant as an outlet even without a creative project to like this. Doodling is more than just scribbles on a page; it's a powerful tool that can bring joy, calmness, and a sense of accomplishment to neurodivergent individuals. Whether you're on the autism spectrum, have ADHD, or any other neurodiverse condition, here are s...

"Who Let The God's Out" and the author who made us friends with Greek superstars Leo and I love bed time stories, but we do best unwinding when listening together via audible . This series has been so brilliant for our evenings and we have been hooked since my close friend, another home educating mum, enthusiastically recommended them (along with her kids who would lace conversation with quotes in incredible character voices from the author's recording). Today, I am absolutely thrilled to shine a spotlight on this super author, Maz Evans, and her enchanting series of books, "Who Let The Gods Out." Get ready to embark on a journey filled with humour, heart, and heavenly adventures that will leave you grinning from ear to ear! Maz Evans burst onto the literary scene with a bang, gifting readers of all ages a refreshing and laugh-out-loud take on Greek mythology. In the first book we are introduced to Elliot Hooper, a young boy with more problems than your a...

  The Pawsitive Influence: Why I Love Raising My Child With A Dog I may be biased as a woman who grew up surrounded by animals and who these days has the constant shadow in the shape of a golden retriever , but in my own personal opinion, the role of pets, particularly dogs, in a child's life cannot be overstated .  The companionship, unconditional love, and valuable life lessons that dogs offer can have a profound impact on a child's development . In this blog post, we'll explore the numerous benefits of children growing up with dogs that I have witnessed in myself (thanks memory) and my child. Companionship and Emotional Support: Dogs are known for their unwavering loyalty and unconditional love. Having a furry friend by their side provides children with constant companionship and a sense of security. The bond formed between a child and their dog can be a source of emotional support, helping them navigate the ups and downs of life with a trusted confidant. Responsibility ...