It's not pretty, but it's play

Recently, my children's play hasn't been nearly as pretty or as obviously photogenic as usual. However, I've still snapped away, trying to capture all their brilliant adventures, and fortunately, I've discovered a great image processor on Picasa 3. I think this 'plastic' camera effect works really well for this particular collection of Buddy and Daisy at Play pictures.

On Saturday, Darth Vader gave us a super quality black balloon at a Star Wars party (which explains the Jedi and Yoda costumes in the top photo). There have been a great many giggly games of keepy-uppy since then.

There's been some top-notch potion-making; but no perfumed petals or glitter were involved this time. Instead, leaves, carrot-tops, mud, water, washing-up liquid, vinegar and small stones were collected, whisked into the 'cauldron' and then the nasty-looking mixture was poured into jars.

 They are deadly potions, apparently. They have the labels to prove it.

This black, shop-bought, pizza packaging has been transformed - with the weight of a few pennies - into a surprisingly robust flying saucer. They've been having some fantastic post-dinner frisbee games in our little garden.




 Just goes to show - play doesn't have to be pretty to be pretty cool!

May the Force be with you

Take one Star Wars fan - the birthday boy. Make him a natty Jedi Knight cloak and find him a lightsaber - an empty wrapping paper tube does the job, and often lasts longer than one of the shop-bought variety. We had both.

Add a brave and clever sister - Princess Leia - to be his trusted friend...

... and welcome twelve other energetic young Padawans; ready to be trained in the ways of the Jedi.

• Take on the dark lord and sneak up on him in a game of Darth Vader's Footsteps
• Go on a search-and-save mission around the training HQ - collecting pictures of Star Wars characters
• Perfect an old Jedi mind trick - in a game of May the Force be with you
• Visit the frozen planet of Hoth and, wearing gloves, unwrap white chocolate snowballs from ice (actually foil) and eat as many as possible before the next Padawan rolls a six and takes over the task

Provide each Padawan with the components to build their very own droid...

... and be amazed at their fantastic ideas and technical skill.

Have a well-earned break with a hearty Jedi lunch...

...with an extra energy boost from home-made banana and chocolate chip muffins

 ... and some very special biscuits.

Refreshed and refuelled, congregate for the ultimate Jedi Knight challenge: lightsaber training.

One Padawan at a time, with their trusty lightsaber, for one minute against...

 ... the devilishly fast remote bubble droids. Award points for style - as well as bubble droid damage.

Finally, receive a shiny medal from Princess Leia in a special Jedi award ceremony.

 And that's how our Star Wars party went today. It was out of this world!