Catch Up Time..!

Apologies for the lack of posts over the last 2 months... Things just got busier and I couldn't find time to write. Here is what we did for the last few weeks of term and the first two weeks of this term will follow in the next day or so.

28/11/13

This week we made 3D foam Christmas trees. We bought kits which contained all that the girls needed; the tree, a star, baubles, snowflakes and candy canes. Each kit came with enough for 4 trees so we had to cut up the sheets of baubles so the girls could have 4 of each colour bauble which left me with a lot to do at the beginning of the meeting because we'd forgotten to do it before the meeting. The girls seemed to enjoy themselves and there were quite a few really detailed trees.

Once they had finished they could chose a colourful sheet of paper and make paper chains. We had loads of really long chains by the end of the evening and it was definitely a big hit with the girls!

5/12/13

This week we did some more Christmas crafts - baubles and cutlery holders. The baubles were made from clear plastic balls and the girls made a snowman from polystyrene balls. They had cardboard hats and scarves and beads on needles for eyes and noses! Each bauble also had a small amount of fake snow at the bottom. It was quite a tricky craft so we had one table making them with Brown Owl (who invented the craft!) while all the other girls did Snowy's craft; cutlery holders.

Each girl had a piece of red card from which they cut out the main shape using a template Snowy had made. They then folded it up and stapled the edge together. They had to cut out a square of white card and then cut out two slits in it for the belt buckle and then they had to thread sticky black felt through the buckle before sticking it round the main body. This was extremely tricky for the majority of girls and, if we did it again, I would use regular felt and glue instead.They also had the option of putting a parcel label on it with a name on (for use on their table at Christmas). Snowy had provided enough material for each girl to make 4 but they started to get bored after one so I think she needed to have chosen something else too. Luckily we still had paper from last week so the girls made even more paper chains!

12/12/13

This week we had gingerbread cookies to decorate so 5 girls at a time went into the kitchen with our 2 other adult helpers and decorated stars with icing and sprinkles. Surprisingly, the girls didn't go excessively overboard with this as they usually do - some of the cookies leaving at the end of the meeting were actually really good quality!

Unfortunately, I can't remember what we did this week other than the cookies... I really need to keep on top of this...

19/12/13

This week was party week! Two girls who were leaving this week organised the evening for the other girls. It was a Christmas colours or onsie theme so naturally most girls showed up in their onsies - I mean, who's going to turn down the opportunity to go out in their pyjamas at that age!? They started off by playing coaches (instructions here) and then fishes (instructions also here) while the other Young Leader and I set up the food on the tables ready for when they were done. We then had to stand by the tables making sure they didn't run into it though..!

Once they were done playing, we let them loose with the food. Before a party, we send home a slip of paper with each girl telling them what food to bring. That way we can have some say over the amount of savoury and sweet items we have (and that we don't end up with 24 lots of the same food!). We let the girls sit on the floor or chairs with their friends so naturally we have a few drinks spillages but it's generally a good atmosphere.

At the end of the meeting we gave each girl a Christmas card and the two girls who were leaving got their certificates and teddy bear keyring before the girls all went home.

It's been a good term with lots going on. I feel I've deserved this rest though! Bring on next term... :D