after school, Tuesdays in January 2012

An after school club with lots of freedom to choose what to play - in a big garden with lots of play equipment and 'loose parts' and nice indoor family environment.  Scroll down for diaries.

31st Jan:
The girls (amy and Fleur) were the first ones to arrive, as they didn't have to wait for the older children.  They played on the drums to begin with and were very excited about dressing up later.  They had some tea and cakes.  Then they went back into the front room and played on the drums again until the older children arrived.  Once the older children arrived Edward went upstairs to get the dressing up clothes.  Meanwhile one of the older children went to have tea, one took over on the drums and the others played with the cars.  Amy and Fleur had a great time being dressed up and talking to Rachel in the drawing room.  Once the games had finished they all went outside.  The girls weren't outside for very long and came back in and dressed up again.  Then they played with the castle and dolls.  The boys that were still in the garden came inside and ate through the remainders of the tea, about 6 pieces between them. 
24th Jan:
The Swainswick boys had been told of a new addition to the toys and so went running straight down to the bottom garden, with Rachel telling them hot and cold.  "Cold," the boys went down further, "even colder," the boys ran up to the house to find... a drum set.  They had a play on the drum set while others were eating their tea.  After tea the big foot came out and the play fighting began, between Arthur, Ned and James.  Shortly afterwards the boys went down to the bottom garden and built dens, Jack joined in when he got back from Football.  Inside Fleur told Rachel the story of baby Jesus and Rachel tole Fleur the story of baby Moses with the new prop, a doll in a basket.  Charlie Played Uno (1-3), Battleships (draw) and drafts (1-1) against Rebecca.  In the kitchen Rachel made flatbread with Fleur before she got picked up early to go home.  Once it was too dark to stay outside the boys came inside and play fighting once again began, with Jack instead of James as he had gone home.
17th Jan:
Arthur, Ned and James built a ‘prison’ using the usual pallets, planks and ropes.  Ben was their runaway prisoner who then enjoyed talking his way out of captivity!  Edward was making a box in his workshop.  Then they played kick the can.  Inside Isobel and Rebecca had made hot chocolate for them, Fleur and Izzy.  The footballers arrived and the tempo rose to create an exciting chase game.  Meanwhile the young girls, Amy and Fleur, got confused about whether they were being chased, or not!  Then Edward started a small campfire for them as they wanted to toast marshmallows.  Edward got all the chickens into their new household.  The poly tunnel is officially closed.  The plan is to get some chicks in the spring.  Isobel spent most of the club hanging out inside and talking to George.
10th Jan
A massive base was being built - James, Ben, Arthur and Ned were very busy with their construction.  They used pallets, planks and scaffolding tower and climbing ropes.  The football boys arrived and there was a man-hunt game.  Ben got a nose bleed but soon recovered.  Occasionally Amy and Fleur would appear with torches as it was now dark.  Inside Isobel and Rachel played "Don't Say It!".  Amy and Fleur had played with the soldiers, fortress and princes and princesses.  Rebecca finished up with a game of Uno with Charlie and Isobel.  Written by Edward.