While I hope to do many wonderful and enriching activities during our year of Thursdays (I do have some great ones in the works), sometimes you just need a little treat. This week with the kids still on school break and going a little stir crazy, we headed to Bayside Sweets to get me a coffee and the kids a treat and craft. Only the coffee machine was broken, so I bought myself a little licorice covered chocolate (which I would have gotten anyway, but could now blame on the fact that the coffee machine was broken.)
Besides the great selection of worldwide sweets, they have a table set up for kids to make their own beaded creations. I know we could make necklaces at home, but the novelty of beading in the shop makes it a fresh activity and the variety on offer is a great way for the twins to showcase their individuality with the choices they make. I love watching them concentrate on the entire process. Some beads were hard for their little fingers to get on the string, but they tried. With each one, the twins quickly figured out the beads that they could do themselves. They really did not want to ask for my help!
I love how Kieran selected a lot of pink beads at the beginning, but ended up not using any of them in his final design!
Lots of candy choices. Not sure gummi pizza would be my pick, but they are funny!
The store also stocks some really cute dress up clothes and backpacks. We almost picked up lunch boxes for the twins, but Kieran was still wanting to see if there might be one with Spiderman on it at the mall. At least I know we can come back here for these if *we* change our minds.
We have never been the type to eat a ton of junk food, nor are we the type to flat out say NO to everything. The twins are pretty good at picking one small lolly and not asking for anything else. They ended up with the same flavor, but different styles of lollipops. Kieran’s was a whistle.
And what they made…bag tags for kindergarten backpacks. THEIR kindergarten backpacks. Sigh.
Just another reminder of why I am doing this Year of Thursdays with them…next year, they will be too busy with school.
Check around your city…big or small, there must be at least a few quirky little local businesses that you can visit with your kids! The twins and I are going to be finding as many as we can in Melbourne!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
those lunch bags are great if you don’t find what you want in other stores – they have lots of room, and they are super cute. my kindergartener loves hers!
I am really enjoying this series, Rachel. It is spurring me on to do something similar to this with my middle child.
love this. Can’t wait to “share” in your year of Thursdays. <3
It really is the small insignificant moments with our kids that I want to remember most.
AWESOME POST!! so yeaaahh I was right when I guess Kieran wanted a Spiderman lunchbox, when you asked on facebook page! So great he finally get one, even I think you want them to chose the shop ones hehehe!!!
I am really enjoying reading your Thursday posts. I have a 3.5 yr old boy and realize that I have him for another 2 years before he’s at school and spends most of his time with others. I really want to enjoy this time with him and your posts are very inspiring. I am really excited about introducing him to the idea of a journal.
He’s currently in day care 3 days per week and I have been offered a 4th day this year and am feeling incredibly conflicted about it. On the one hand, having one more day a week for my interior design business would great as last year I was often in overwhelm with work and know I didn’t parent Jasper as wel as I would have liked. I figure one day of quality time is better than 2 that are not. On the other hand, I know that I’ll fill whatever available time I have with work and an extra day won’t necessary mean more work-life balance. And these 2 years are so precious we will never have them back.
Ah, the eternal problem of working mothers.
chocolate covered licorice? I can’t even imagine how that tastes, although I love both but, together? Is it black licorice?
Yes and it is the most amazing thing. ever. get some.